Set the tone for a transformative year with practical strategies to align your leadership, prioritize what matters, and create balance for both work and life.

As we step into 2025, we’re given a fresh opportunity to reset and realign our ground rules—not just for our schools, but for ourselves. The demands of school leadership are constant, and it’s easy to get caught up in the cycle of “busy.” But as we look to support our staff, students, and families, it’s equally important to prioritize intentionality in managing our time and energy. After all, we’re not just striving for school goals—we’re also striving for balance in our own lives.

Over the years, I’ve learned that having clear ground rules for managing my schedule is the key to thriving as a leader while still having a life outside of work. Here are three rules I live by to ensure I’m leading with purpose and making space for what truly matters:

1. Protect the Non-Negotiables
Not everything can be a priority, but some things must be. Whether it’s one-on-one check-ins with staff, family dinners, or your weekly workout routine, identifying your non-negotiables is essential to staying grounded. For me, 2025 is shaping up to be one of the busiest and most demanding years yet. I’m in the final semesters of my doctoral program, navigating the complexities of building an alternative high school, running an online high school, and, perhaps most bittersweet of all, preparing for my youngest son to graduate from high school this spring. With so much happening at once, it would be easy to let the whirlwind of tasks take over. That’s why this ground rule isn’t just a suggestion—it’s a necessity.

Without clear boundaries and a commitment to protecting what matters most, I know how quickly the urgent can crowd out the important. By intentionally identifying and prioritizing my non-negotiables, I create space to focus on what truly matters and stay aligned with my values amidst the chaos.

Once you’ve pinpointed your non-negotiables, schedule them—just like you would a meeting or event. These are the things that matter most, both personally and professionally, so guard them fiercely. For me, this means carving out uninterrupted time to review data with my team and intentionally planning evenings to unplug and be present with my family. The key is making these commitments visible on your calendar and treating them as immovable.

2. Delegate with Confidence
Let’s be honest: as school leaders, we often feel the pressure to do it all. But here’s the truth—trying to handle everything on your own isn’t sustainable, and it certainly isn’t effective. Delegation is not just a strategy; it’s a necessity. Yet, by the end of 2024, I found myself breaking my own rule. I was pulling attendance reports, volunteering to cover classrooms, and taking on other tasks simply because I thought it would take too much time to ask someone else or I didn’t want to bother them. Sound familiar?

Over the break, I had the chance to read Will Guidara’s Unreasonable Hospitality: The Remarkable Power of Giving People More Than They Expect. One quote hit me like a wake-up call:
“But refusing to delegate because it might take too long to train someone will only get in the way of your own growth.”

This reminded me why delegation is so vital—not just for me, but for the people I work with. It starts with clarity about who is responsible for what. I use the “first responder” system to identify who takes the lead on recurring tasks or urgent issues. Instead of immediately raising my hand to volunteer for a task, I now pause to reflect:

• Who is best positioned to handle this?
• Whose role does this align with most directly?
• Is this an opportunity to build leadership capacity in someone I work with?

By shifting my mindset, I’ve been able to lighten my own load while empowering my team to step into their strengths. Delegation isn’t about letting go—it’s about letting others grow. It’s about building a team that thrives together, where leadership is shared, and everyone has the chance to contribute to our collective success.

3. Build Flexibility Into Your Focus
Leadership is unpredictable. One moment you’re leading a meeting, and the next you’re managing a crisis. That’s why I’ve learned the importance of building flexibility into my schedule—not by abandoning structure, but by intentionally creating space for the unexpected while staying focused on what matters most.

In these early weeks of 2025, I’ve been intentional about blocking time to be in hallways and classrooms. This margin in my calendar gives me breathing room during the day and creates opportunities to connect with students instead of being stuck in my office or bouncing from one meeting to the next. By starting this habit now, I’m setting myself up for success later—especially when I’ll need that margin most. As the school year winds down, with my doctoral program nearing completion, students wrapping up their final days, and my youngest son graduating high school, I know I’ll appreciate having the bandwidth to fully embrace those moments instead of dragging myself across the finish line.

One way I maintain this flexibility is by blocking “buffer time” into my week. These small, dedicated pockets of time allow me to catch up, problem-solve, or simply reflect. They’re moments to reset and recalibrate, ensuring that even when things get chaotic, I remain aligned with my goals. By intentionally building flexibility into my focus, I’m able to show up fully for my work, my family, and myself—even during the busiest seasons.

As we dive into 2025, it’s clear that the demands of leadership will always be there, but how we approach them can make all the difference. By protecting the non-negotiables, delegating with confidence, and building flexibility into our focus, we can lead with greater clarity, balance, and purpose. These ground rules aren’t just about getting through the school year—they’re about thriving in it, both professionally and personally.
Now it’s your turn: What ground rules will you set for yourself this year? Take a moment to reflect on the habits, boundaries, or systems you need to align your leadership with your values. Share your thoughts, ideas, or even the challenges you’re facing—we’re all in this together.

Let’s make 2025 the year we lead with intention, grow alongside our teams, and create space for what matters most in our schools and our lives.