School leadership is rewarding — and relentless. In this energizing episode, I walk listeners through 23 practical habits and mindset shifts that strengthen influence, improve decision-making, and protect leaders from burnout. Drawing on leadership research and everyday school leadership realities, I cover tactical moves (be visible, have difficult talks,mentor & coach), mindset anchors (choose a growth mindset, listen with empathy, know yourself), and wellbeing practices (go offline, practice mindfulness, take good care of you). This episode serves as a toolkit for principals, assistant principals, instructional leaders, and aspiring school leaders who seek intentional, steady growth.Episode highlights — The essentials (selected items from the 23)Pause More. React Less. — Create space to think, avoid knee-jerk decisions.Listen with Curiosity. — Ask questions, build trust, uncover solutions.Adapt Quickly & Pivot. — Expect change; adjust sails, don’t stay on autopilot.Be Approachable. — Visibility, warmth, and active listening reduce barriers.Fail Fast Forward. — Experiment, learn, iterate — make it safe to try.Be Purpose Driven & Take Care of You. — Lead from your “why” and protect your capacity.Whether you are a new principal, a veteran school leader, or an aspiring administrator, this episode provides practical, bite-sized leadership habits you can start using tomorrow.Call to Action: If this episode added value to your leadership journey, do me a favor.✅ Join the School Leaders' Podcast Community on Facebook for deeper discussions!✅ Visit www.DrGHarrigan.com for blogs, newsletters, and more leadership resources.✅ Follow, subscribe, rate, and leave a 5-star review wherever you listen—help ignite leadership in others, too!✅ Share this episode with fellow leaders if it adds value to you.Connect with Dr. Gastrid HarriganWebsite: https://www.drgharrigan.com/Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/gastrid.harriganInstagram: http://www.instagram.com/DrGHarriganTwitter: http://www.instagram.com/DrGHarriganLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-gastrid-harrigan-4b117333/ #SchoolLeadership #PrincipalLife #LeadershipHabits #MindfulLeadership #EdLeadership

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“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.

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