This is latest in our series of Thinking Out Loud. In this episode Zach Grosell and I talk about your year in consulting and a plethora of other topics.Links:Just Tell Them: The Power of Explanations and Explicit TeachingMaximizing the Impact of Coaching Cycles

Are you successful on the outside—but secretly wondering if you're just one mistake away from being "found out"?You're not alone.In this episode, we dive into one of the biggest hidden struggles high performers face: imposter syndrome. Why do accomplished leaders still question whether they truly belong? And how does that quiet self-doubt affect the way they lead, make decisions, and build trust?You'll discover:Why imposter syndrome is so common among high achieversHow fear quietly shapes leadership behaviorsThe connection between humility, emotional intelligence, and psychological safetyPractical strategies to replace self-protection with authentic confidenceHow to uncover the "gold" that's already within youWhether you're a healthcare leader, executive, entrepreneur, or someone striving to make a greater impact, this episode will challenge the story you've been telling yourself, and remind you that your greatest leadership strength isn't perfection.It's authenticity.🎙️ You are not a fraud. You are becoming.

You’ve been told that social skills interventions are ableist.But you’ve also been told that we need to prepare students for real-world expectations. You have teachers and administrators coming to you with concerns about behavior, participation, and social interaction, and you’re expected to address it.Then you’re told to make your intervention more “functional.” To collaborate more. To focus on generalization.And somehow, all of that responsibility gets funneled into a 20-minute social skills group.What are you supposed to do when you know that a short, isolated session isn’t going to result in meaningful carryover?The issue isn’t that social skills intervention is a bad idea. The problem is we're using the wrong model to support them. When we think of "social skills intervention" as beginning and ending within a siloed therapy session, we'll continue to see poor skill transfer.A therapy session with students is ONE layer. We can keep that layer, but we need to add more layers to it to bridge the gap.In this video, I walk through how to shift from relying on one intervention bucket (a.k.a. the isolated social skills group) to building a service delivery model that frames social skills as "executive functioning for human interactions".This episode was created based on a video I previously published on YouTube. You can view the original video here: https://youtu.be/vdpzfG5l6woIn this episode, I mentioned School of Clinical Leadership, my program that helps related service providers design scalable executive functioning interventions to ensure students get the scaffolding they need across the school day. You can learn more about the program here: https://drkarendudekbrannan.com/clinicalleadership

Tools Not Rules: Transforming Classroom Behavior with Compassion and ClarityDiscover how shifting from traditional rules to empowering tools can revolutionize classroom behavior management. Find out how these strategies foster connection, trust, and student ownership in learning environments.Main Topics:The core concept of tools, not rules, in behavior managementThe importance of language and semantics in student interactionsPractical strategies for implementing tools in classrooms of all agesHow connection and curiosity impact student behavior and learningThe role of positive reinforcement and community-building toolsIn this episode:How early childhood familiarity with tools sets the foundation for lifelong behavior habitsUsing specific language, like “assertive” versus “passive,” to build awarenessTeachers’ experiences with implementing the “Tools Not Rules” framework in diverse settingsThe significance of understanding students’ perspectives and underlying needsPractical tools: posters, star charts, and shared language to reinforce positive behaviorThe importance of consistency, connection, and giving students a sense of controlInsights from a year-long study on the impact of tools versus rules on student motivationResources & Links:Tools Not Rules WebsiteTools Not Rules BookPosters and materials for classroom behavior managementStudy reports and examples of implementationConnect with Claudia & Marlene:Claudia's EmailMarlene's EmailFinal notes:Consistent language and shared expectations foster ownershipFocusing on behaviors as actions, not identities, reduces shameEarly adoption and routine implementation build trust and successRecognize the power of positivity and connection in transforming classrooms

In this episode of The Principal’s Handbook, we explore why becoming a better leader isn’t about doing more—it’s about doing less with greater intention. You’ll learn how trying to tackle too many initiatives at once can create burnout, reduce momentum, and keep your building from making meaningful progress. The episode introduces the Leadership by Subtraction framework, helping you identify the one area that will have the biggest impact on your school through three simple reflection questions. If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed by competing priorities, this conversation will help you lead with more focus, clarity, and confidence.Join the Leadership by Subtraction Waitlist HERE.