E 42: Dr. Alaina Szlachta on Deficit-Driven Leadership: A Smarter Way to Evaluate Impact

In this episode of Othman’s Leadership Podcast, we dive deep into one of the most underdeveloped yet essential leadership skills: measuring impact. Our guest, Dr. Alaina Szlachta, is the founder of By Design Development Solutions and the author of Measurement & Evaluation on a Shoestring (ATD Press). With clarity, candor, and real-world stories, Dr. Szlachta helps education leaders navigate how to track the effectiveness of PD sessions, curriculum investments, and change initiatives—especially when budgets are tight. We explore: Why measuring impact feels so hard (and what to do about it), How to start with the deficit instead of the outcome, The four critical data points every initiative needs, When to build internal capacity vs. bring in a consultant, How to harness teacher observations as powerful, untapped data. Whether you’re a school principal, superintendent, or professional development lead, this episode gives you a roadmap to stop guessing—and start proving—what’s working. 📚 Learn more about Dr. Szlachta’s work at By Design Development Solutions and connect with her on LinkedIn.