You don't have a motivation problem. You have an alignment problem.

School Leadership Reimagined

School Leadership Reimagined

42:14

Episode Description: Jessica B. Harris may have been born and raised in New York City, but she has Tennessee roots through her father and has spent much of her life split between homes in the Northeast and the South – specifically New Orleans. For more than fifty years, she has been a college professor, a writer, and a lecturer, and her many books have earned her a reputation as an authority on food of the African Diaspora, as well as a lifetime achievement award from the James Beard Foundation. A few years back, Netflix adapted her book, High on the Hog: A Culinary Journey from Africa to America , into a 4 part docuseries. And I’m very proud to say that she’s a longtime contributor to Southern Living with a regular column called The Welcome Table. This episode was recorded in the Southern Living Birmingham studios, and Sid and Jessica talked about her mother’s signature mac and cheese, the cast-iron skillet she’d be sure to save if ever her house were on fire, and her dear friend, the late New Orleans chef Leah Chase. For more info visit: southernliving.com/biscuitsandjam Biscuits & Jam is produced by : Sid Evans - Editor-in-Chief, Southern Living Krissy Tiglias - GM, Southern Living Lottie Leymarie - Executive Producer Michael Onufrak - Audio Engineer/Producer Jeremiah McVay - Producer Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices…

about a year ago 32:12

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If you’re constantly chasing, checking, and correcting your staff, you don’t have an unmotivated teacher problem—you have an alignment problem. The real reason teachers aren’t fully committed isn’t because they don’t care, it’s because they don’t have the feedback, support, culture, and accountability needed to take full ownership of their work. In this episode, we’re breaking down the 4 Staff Alignment Levers—Feedback, Support, Culture, and Accountability—and how they help teachers do the right work, the right way, for the right reasons, even when you’re not looking. Plus, I’ll share what to do if you’ve missed the Staff Alignment Challenge and how you can get your personalized Staff Alignment Roadmap in Monday’s live Masterclass. So tune in today to discover how you can get your entire staff aligned #LikeABuilder.

100 episodes

#Success Secrets

You don't have a motivation problem. You have an alignment problem.

published about a year ago

MP3•Episode home

100 episodes

#Success Secrets

All episodes

1
The moment I realized Summer Planning was a Lie 29:14

4 days ago29:14

29:14

If you’re always the one carrying the plan—chasing the deadlines, keeping the vision alive, and pushing things forward while your team drifts—this episode is for you. In this episode, I’m sharing the moment I realized traditional summer planning was setting school leaders up to fail. I’ll tell you the story that changed everything for me, why most SIPs fall apart by October, and how you can shift from compliance-based plans to ones your team actually owns. If you’re already thinking about next year, this is the episode you need before you start planning so you can plan this summer #LikeABuilder.…

1
You’re about to waste another summer 28:35

11 days ago28:35

28:35

You’re probably wrapping up the school year and already planning for next year, believing better plans mean better results. But what if that belief is fundamentally flawed? In this episode, discover why even your best plans fall apart without a compelling vision. Learn why Builders spend their summers differently—crafting visions that truly align and energize their teams. Stop wasting time on tactics that won't stick and make this the summer you build something truly transformative #LikeABuilder.…

1
You can't get to 100% on good intentions 36:38

18 days ago36:38

36:38

You’ve written your 100% Vision, embraced the language of Buildership, and maybe even started using some of the tools, but if you’re still making decisions, managing your team, and approaching your work like a leader, you’re going to stay stuck. In this episode, we’re unpacking the subtle ways leadership habits sneak back in, even when you believe in the vision, and why you can’t build a 100% school using the same strategies you used when you were chasing 5% gains. It’s not about working harder. It’s about working differently #LikeABuilder…

1
Rewind: Why You Should Be Conducting Exit Interviews 29:46

25 days ago29:46

29:46

Everyone focuses on getting teachers to stay. Almost no one asks what we can learn when they leave. That’s why this week, we’re doing a replay of one of our most talked-about episodes. You’ll discover a deceptively simple but deeply powerful strategy that most school leaders overlook, and why skipping it could be costing you insight, trust, and long-term alignment. Even if you’ve heard it before, listen again with fresh ears. There’s a good chance what you missed last year is exactly what you need to hear now to build a stronger school culture this year #LikeABuilder.…

1
How to Keep Staff Engaged at the End of the Year 35:22

5 weeks ago35:22

35:22

It’s that time of year when everyone’s quietly tapping out. Teachers, students, even your best systems seem to be running on fumes. But what if the real problem isn’t burnout… it’s cultural drift? In this episode, we're digging into why the usual end-of-year leadership advice falls flat and what Builders do differently to keep staff meaningfully engaged in May. If you’re ready to finish the year with purpose and set the stage for a stronger year next year, this episode will show you how to do it #LikeABuilder.…

1
How to do Teacher Appreciation Week #LikeABuilder 31:39

6 weeks ago31:39

31:39

Next week, schools everywhere are celebrating Teacher Appreciation Week. But, what if we’re celebrating the wrong things? In this episode, we explore how appreciation can unintentionally reinforce exhaustion, compliance, or martyrdom, and how Builders do it differently. You’ll learn how to use Teacher Appreciation Week as a strategic moment to reinforce your school’s vision, elevate your culture, and align your team for what comes next. From the Builder’s Appreciation Formula to powerful WOW moments like the Block of Impact and the Builder Tunnel, this episode will help you celebrate with clarity and purpose so what gets celebrated now becomes what gets repeated all year long #LikeABuilder.…

1
The one meeting teachers actually look forward to 31:48

7 weeks ago31:48

31:48

What if one 15-minute conversation could give you more insight than a walkthrough, a post-observation conference, or a data meeting ever could? In this episode, I’m sharing how quarterly one-on-ones helped me build deeper alignment, spark authentic reflection, and finally understand what was really happening in classrooms. You’ll hear how I used them, what shifted, and why they’re the most powerful system most school administrators aren’t using (yet). If you’ve ever felt like you’re chasing accountability, clarity, or follow-through…this might be the missing piece.…

1
When Everything Feels ...Fragile 35:05

8 weeks ago35:05

35:05

When everything feels like it’s falling apart—mandates shift, morale dips, and chaos creeps into the day-to-day—most principals scramble to hold things together. But Builders do something different. Instead of reacting, they anchor. In this episode, Discover how the Buildership Model isn’t something you abandon in hard times—it’s what carries you through them. In fact, when time's get tough, Builders double down on purpose, people, and process because doing so isn’t idealistic, it’s strategic. If you’re tempted to hustle harder or power through, this episode is your reminder: there’s a better way. Stay grounded in your purpose, lean on your people, and trust your processes (even when the pressure’s on) #LikeABuilder.…

1
How to Manage Your Boss When Your Boss Isn't a Builder 41:03

9 weeks ago41:03

41:03

Ever had a boss shut down your work—not because it wasn’t working, but because it wasn’t their idea? In this episode, I’m talking about how to manage up like a Builder, especially when your boss is still stuck in traditional leadership thinking. I’ll share five practical strategies to help you protect your vision, navigate resistance, and keep building—even when your supervisor doesn’t see the value yet. Plus, I’ll show you how to turn that pushback into a powerful tool that actually advances your vision. If you’ve ever had your hand slapped or felt like you had to fight for every inch of progress because someone above you didn’t get it, then discover how to manage your boss #LikeABuilder.…

1
What your master schedule says about you 36:21

10 weeks ago36:21

36:21

Most principals treat the master schedule like a logistical puzzle—but what if the real problem isn’t the puzzle pieces, but the picture you're trying to build? In this episode, I unpack why master scheduling feels so frustrating, what fear is really driving all those revisions and pushbacks, and what it would look like to create a schedule that truly reflects your school’s vision. If you’re tired of last-minute chaos, endless tweaks, and staff confusion, this episode will change the way you see scheduling forever. It’s time to stop surviving the schedule and start using it to advance your 100% vision #LikeABuilder.…

1
The Power of the Right Mentor 35:27

11 weeks ago35:27

35:27

This week’s episode is more personal than most. I just learned that one of my longtime mentors is dying, and it’s made me pause and reflect on the profound impact mentorship has had on my journey. In this episode, I share what it really means to have a mentor , not just someone who gives advice, but someone who sees who you’re becoming and helps you grow into that vision. I also explore how the right mentor can change your trajectory, and why being in the right rooms with the right people matters more than we often realize. It’s a reminder of how we grow, how we build, and how we show up for others #LikeABuilder.…

1
Is testing season taking over your school? 27:59

12 weeks ago27:59

27:59

Testing season is here, bringing intense pressure that can derail instruction, school culture, and teacher morale. With district mandates looming and high-stakes assessments weighing on students and staff, it’s easy for schools to shift into panic mode. But Builders take a different approach—one that prioritizes real learning while still achieving strong results. In this episode, discover how to navigate testing season without letting it consume your school, refocus on what truly moves the needle, and equip students with the confidence and skills they need to show what they know #LikeABuilder.…

1
Overcoming the Spring Slump 34:04

13 weeks ago34:04

34:04

Every spring, schools hit a slump—teachers check out, students lose focus, and principals feel like they’re the only ones holding everything together. The typical response? Push harder, pile on accountability, and try to ‘motivate’ people back into action. But Builders know better. In this episode, we’ll unpack why the Spring Slump isn’t a motivation problem—it’s a misalignment problem. Instead of fighting to sustain momentum, you’ll learn how to realign your school so that teachers and students stay engaged naturally. If you’re tired of pushing, it’s time to shift the way you work—#LikeABuilder.…

1
Who’s in Your Ear: How Your Tribe Shapes Your Trajectory 36:56

14 weeks ago36:56

36:56

Who you listen to matters more than you think. As a Builder, you’re not just leading—you’re transforming schools in ways that most people around you don’t understand. But if the loudest voices in your ear are supervisors focused on compliance, colleagues who don’t share your vision, or skeptics who think you’re aiming too high, their doubts can start shaping your decisions without you even realizing it. In this episode, we’ll unpack how the wrong influences can slowly pull you back into the status quo, how to evaluate who’s really supporting your growth, and how to surround yourself with the right people who will challenge, inspire, and push you forward #LikeABuilder.…

1
The Game-Changing Strategy No One’s Talking About -- And why you need it now 35:11

15 weeks ago35:11