Principal in Balance – Jessica Cabeen

If Everything Is Urgent, Is Anything Strategic?

by Jessica Cabeen | May 9, 2026 | Principal in Balance, Slow Leadership

The email says urgent.The parent call feels urgent.The staffing issue is urgent.The deadline is urgent.The new initiative is urgent. And somewhere around 10:42 a.m., someone says: “Do you have just a quick minute?” (Which every school leader knows is never quick and...

What Does Your Calendar Reveal About What You Actually Value?

by Jessica Cabeen | May 2, 2026 | Principal in Balance, Slow Leadership

You can say what matters. Culture.Relationships.Instruction.Strategy.Well-being. You can name the priorities clearly. But here’s the disruptive question: What does your calendar reveal about what you actually value? And if your calendar could talk… it might tell a...

When May gets chaotic, do your systems hold—or do you?

by Jessica Cabeen | Apr 25, 2026 | Principal in Balance, Slow Leadership

In Minnesota, we have a phenomenon called false spring. One day it’s 80 and sunny.Next, a blizzard cancels school.You adjust… and then it shifts again. End-of-year leadership feels the same. Plans go sideways.Staff transitions disrupt routines.And the tension between...

Are You Aligned to Your Goals — or Reacting to Noise?

by Jessica Cabeen | Apr 16, 2026 | Permission to Rest, Principal in Balance, Slow Leadership

You set the goals.The strategic plan is clear.The priorities are named.The outcomes are defined. And yet… Your days don’t feel aligned.They feel reactive. Emails.Parent concerns.Staff tensions.New initiatives.District asks.Community pressure. By 3:42 p.m., you’ve been...

What If the Pace You’re Proud Of Is the Very Thing Undermining Your Leadership?

by Jessica Cabeen | Feb 20, 2026 | Permission to Rest, Principal in Balance, Slow Leadership

Is Your Leadership Sustainable — or Just Impressive? The Hidden Cost of Hustle Culture You’re getting it done. The meetings are covered.The emails are answered.The fires are handled.The outcomes look solid. From the outside, it’s impressive. But here’s the question...

How Do I Lead When I Don’t Feel Confident?

by Jessica Cabeen | Feb 13, 2026 | Principal in Balance, Slow Leadership

I wish I felt more confident.I second-guess decisions.I replay conversations.I assume others could lead better. Some days, I’m not sure I trust myself. How do I lead when I don’t feel confident? What’s really going on Confidence is often misunderstood. We think it...