Leadership can be exhilarating and isolating--sometimes in the same hour! Twice a week, I share practical insights and real-world stories to help you tackle challenges with clarity, strengthen your team, and grow into the leader you want to be.
The reunion I didn't see coming 💗
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Hey Reader! Last Thursday, my kids and I flew to Chicago to celebrate my dad's birthday on Sunday before we left for our bigger summer adventure Monday. But Friday--the middle and high school I founded hosted the grand opening of their new building--- and their first all-class Alumni Reunion--organized and funded by alums. 😊 The first class graduated a little over five years ago-- which is when I transitioned to my coaching and consulting business and I deliberately stepped back-- as Founder I didn't want to overshadow my amazing successor so I didn't join the Board or formally stay involved. I was busy solo parenting, trying to figure out how to start a business and then, two years later, moving to New York. The trip's timing worked out perfectly-- and it was so special to take my rising 6th grade twins and rising 9th grader-- to a school I started that serves their grades-- and to have them meet my alumni who I met when they were around their age (or younger!) My oldest was 18 months old when the school opened-- the twins came in the middle of our second year-- so it was the kind of day when so many people knew who they were but they had no idea who they are meeting. Many of you work in education--or similar mission-driven fields-- and I have to say: This is what all the hard work, effort, and energy is for—not just watching your students grow up, but watching what you build outlast your involvement in it. The fact that the school that was just an idea in my head in winter 2010-- is now a school with five classes of alumni-- a successor who has thrived and navigated some very challenging facility issues-- and a real legacy it's building makes me overflow with gratitude. If you're building something right now that feels like it all runs through you—I get it. I've been there. But Friday was proof that it doesn't have to stay that way. I'll have more to say on this, but I'm still processing the intense emotions and pride. What are you building that you hope outlasts your involvement in it? Hit reply and tell me—I'd love to hear where you're at. Take care, ps. If you would have told me alumni would organize and fund their own reunion at any point when I was founding and leading between 2010-2021, I'm not I would have believed you--my heart would have (and is!) overflowing with gratitude. 💗 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 📈 Leadership LiftsGet actionable strategies in 30 minutes, with practical tools you can use right away. Register for an upcoming session here! |
Helping Leaders Level Up Their Impact
Leadership can be exhilarating and isolating--sometimes in the same hour! Twice a week, I share practical insights and real-world stories to help you tackle challenges with clarity, strengthen your team, and grow into the leader you want to be.
Dear Reader, A few weeks ago I went to the grand opening of the new building for the school I founded, which opened in 2013 with 113 fourth and fifth graders. When the first class graduated from 12th grade in 2021, I graduated as well, starting my small business working to help PK-12 school leaders navigate organizational shifts and transitions, ensuring their teams are aligned and effective so their students thrive. I’ve been in touch but I tried to give my amazing successor some space: when...
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