Why I’m Saying No to the Noise (And Yes to What Matters)

If you’ve been part of my community for a while, you’ll know that I’m always seeking fresh, intentional ways to show up—both here and in my personal life.

Credit: Ballycroy

Recently, I read a book that deeply resonated with me: The Year of Less by Canadian author Cait Flanders. I devoured it in just two days. The core message is simple yet powerful—strip life down to its essentials, reconnect with your core values, spend less, do more of what truly matters, and make space for stillness.

As I turned the final pages, I realized something: the one source of constant tension in my life was social media.

So, I’ve made a conscious decision to step away from Instagram and Facebook. Not to disappear—but to clear the mental clutter and create more calm and peace in my life.

I’m not leaving the digital space altogether. Instead, I’ll be focusing my energy on more intentional platforms—like LinkedIn and my newsletter—where I can continue to share leadership lessons, life reflections, and meaningful conversations with those who value deeper connection.

I’m also continuing to build courses and post regularly on YouTube, because creating is a form of expression that grounds and energizes me.

As leaders, I believe we need to challenge ourselves from time to time—to pause, reflect, and reframe how we live and lead. We can only show up fully for others when we first show up fully for ourselves.

That’s why I created Inner Work, Outer Impact—a newsletter that began on LinkedIn but now also lives in your inbox and on my website. It’s a space where I share lessons from the field, personal stories, and conscious leadership insights—designed to spark thought and offer support.

If this speaks to you, I’d love for you to sign up for the newsletter here, so you’re the first to know when new reflections are shared.

Thank you for reading this far and for being part of this evolving journey.

With gratitude,

Daphne

How to Make Your Message Stick in a Noisy School Environment

In today’s noisy world, leading a school isn’t just about making decisions—it’s about being heard.

Ensure your message sticks just like gum on a shoe, leaving a lasting impression wherever it goes.

With competing demands, countless messages, and a constant stream of new initiatives, your voice as a school leader can easily get drowned out. One moment, you’re casting vision in the staff room, and the next, it’s buried under emails, updates, and to-do lists.

If you’ve ever felt like you’re repeating yourself or wondering, “Why aren’t they hearing this?”—you’re not alone.

Here are three high-impact strategies I’ve used to cut through the clutter and lead with clarity:

Become the CRO (Chief Reminding Officer)

Repetition isn’t nagging—it’s leadership.

There’s a reason we remember catchy ad jingles or movie quotes: repetition works. Research shows that people often need to hear something up to 20 times before it sinks in and leads to action.

As a leader, this means your job isn’t to drop the message once and hope it lands—it’s to weave your school’s vision, values, and goals into the daily rhythm of your team.

Say it in meetings. Put it in emails. Mention it during hallway chats.

Your consistency creates clarity. And clarity builds trust.

Repeat. Reframe. Reignite.

Connect the Dots and Frame the Message

People don’t resist change—they resist confusion.

Your team wants to feel connected to something bigger—but they also want to know where they fit in.

Here’s how I frame key messages to build clarity and confidence:

Start with the mission: “Here’s what we’re working toward as a school.”

Make it personal: “Here’s how your unique skills help get us there.”

Offer support: “Here’s how I’ll have your back as we go.”

This approach quiets the inner ‘What if I mess up?’ voice and replaces it with momentum and trust.

Because when people feel seen, supported, and safe—they move.

This is how I’ve learned to lead with clarity and compassion—and you can too.

Want to go deeper?

Inside The Principal’s Collective, an exclusive community and training program for school leaders, we unpack real leadership moments just like this and explore actionable tools you can use right away. Join us and surround yourself with a community that gets it!

How to Cultivate a Culture of Creativity and Innovation in Your Team

As leaders, we all aspire to build environments where creativity thrives and innovative thinking flourishes. But true innovation doesn’t just happen by chance. It requires intention, structure, and a willingness to step back and let others step up. Here are three key strategies that have made a significant difference in my leadership journey:

A lightbulb launches with dynamic energy, symbolizing the power of a brainstrust in action against a vibrant yellow backdrop.

1. Implement a Brain Trust for Unfiltered Feedback

Early in my leadership journey, I stumbled upon a concept that completely transformed how I approached team building—the braintrust. Originally developed by Ed Catmull, co-founder of Pixar, this feedback system became a cornerstone of some of the most successful animated films ever made, including Toy Story and Finding Nemo.

The genius of the brain trust lies in its structure: it creates a space where team members can share honest, unfiltered feedback without fear of judgment. The goal is not to critique the individual but to challenge the work itself, leading to breakthroughs that might otherwise be stifled by politeness or fear of conflict.

Here’s how I’ve brought this approach to my own teams:

• Create a Judgment-Free Zone: Make it clear that the purpose of the braintrust is to critique the work, not the person. This small but crucial distinction removes the fear of personal attack and opens the door to bold, unfiltered feedback.

• Encourage Diverse Perspectives: Invite a wide range of voices into these sessions, including those who might not typically be involved in the project. Different perspectives push teams to challenge assumptions and explore uncharted territory.

• Focus on Solutions, Not Just Problems: While it’s important to surface issues, the real power of a braintrust lies in collectively finding solutions. Encourage your team to not just identify what’s broken but also to offer ideas for fixing it.

  
  

When I implemented this approach, I saw my team push boundaries, challenge assumptions, and deliver results that exceeded expectations. It’s a powerful reminder that great ideas don’t just come from brilliant individuals but from diverse teams willing to critique each other’s work in pursuit of excellence.

2. Embrace Constructive Dissent

True leaders don’t just surround themselves with people who always agree with them. They create cultures where disagreement isn’t just tolerated – it’s encouraged. Constructive dissent is the secret sauce that keeps teams from stagnating. It’s what ensures ideas are rigorously tested and refined before they reach the light of day.

That’s why, in my monthly meetings with principals, I strive to create a safe space where every voice is valued. I encourage my team to challenge assumptions, push back on ideas (including mine), and share their perspectives without fear of judgment. It’s in these moments of open, honest dialogue that the best ideas emerge – the ones that truly move our schools forward.

Here’s how I’ve fostered this mindset in my teams:

• Normalize Healthy Conflict: Make it clear that disagreement is not a sign of disloyalty but a critical part of the creative process. When people know their ideas will be heard, they are more likely to share bold, innovative solutions.

• Model It Yourself: Be willing to challenge your own ideas in front of your team. This sets the tone that no one, not even the leader, is above questioning.

• Create Space for Deliberate Debate: Dedicate time in meetings for constructive dissent. Use this time to pressure-test ideas, identify blind spots, and refine strategies before they’re put into action.

  
  

Yes, this approach might slow down decision-making in the short term, but it ultimately leads to more thoughtful, strategic choices. It keeps your team sharp, avoids groupthink, and ensures that the best ideas rise to the top.

3. Provide Autonomy and Freedom

Throughout my career, the projects that have given me the most pride—like partnering with Apple Education to upskill my staff, developing comprehensive leadership programs, and launching innovative professional development initiatives—were only possible because my supervisors granted me the autonomy to experiment and innovate.

Here’s why autonomy is a game-changer for creative teams:

• Empowers Decision-Making: When you trust your team to take ownership of their work, you unleash a powerful force: self-motivation. This kind of trust doesn’t just yield better results; it also builds leaders within your ranks, creating a culture of growth and continuous improvement.

• Builds Confidence and Resilience: People who are given the freedom to make decisions and take risks develop the confidence to tackle bigger challenges. They learn from their mistakes and come back stronger.

• Fosters a Sense of Purpose: When team members feel trusted and valued, their work takes on greater meaning. They’re not just completing tasks—they’re making meaningful contributions to a shared vision.

  
  

Creating this kind of culture requires leaders to let go of the urge to control every detail. It’s about setting clear goals, then stepping back and letting your team find their own path forward.

Creating a culture where creativity and innovation can thrive isn’t easy, but it’s one of the most rewarding aspects of leadership. It requires vulnerability, a willingness to let go of control, and a deep trust in your team. But when you get it right, the results speak for themselves. Your team becomes a powerhouse of fresh ideas, capable of achieving breakthroughs you never imagined.

So, take a step back, foster unfiltered feedback, welcome dissent, and watch your team rise to the challenge. Because when you empower others, you unlock their full potential—and your own.

If you want guidance in building this kind of innovative, high-impact culture, join The Principal’s Collective. It’s a community where school leaders come together to share ideas, tackle challenges, and grow their leadership skills – all while inspiring each other to think bigger and lead with confidence.