The Principal's Office Podcast
by Leaders Building Leaders
Dr. Tom Miller understands the unique set of challenges facing both aspiring and experienced charter school leaders today. Tom has spent more than two decades at the forefront in school leadership. First as an exceptional children’s teacher who worked his way into a middle school principal position. When he wrote his dissertation on the Characteristics of Effective Charter Schools, he was recruited by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction to be a statewide consultant. Through his certification through the John Maxwell Team, he started his own business facilitating elite-level leadership development and executive coaching to school and business leaders seeking to navigate a course from success to significance. Tom lives in Raleigh, North Carolina, he is the father of two and the lucky husband of one beautiful wife, Jennifer.
Episodes
-
Episode #241: 5 Leadership Habits That Create Better Summers and Stronger School Years
If you're a school leader, there's a good chance you're carrying some stress right now. The handbook still needs updates. Professional development isn't finalized. There's a position you haven't filled. Projects are underway. And somehow the first day back is right around the corner. The…
more -
Episode #240: Before Your Staff Leave for Summer: 10 Questions Every School Leader Needs Answered
As another school year comes to a close, many leaders immediately shift their focus to hiring, enrollment, summer projects, and preparing for next year. But before your staff sprint out the door for summer, there are important questions every school leader needs answered. In this episode, Dr. Tom...
-
Episode #239: The Leadership Lessons Failure Is Teaching Me | Adversity, Blind Spots, and Systems That Shape Strong Leaders
PODCAST DESCRIPTION In this deeply personal and practical episode of Mentorship Monday, Dr. Tom Miller shares the leadership lessons adversity, failure, blind spots, and difficult seasons have taught him over the last several years. This conversation goes beyond leadership theory and into the...
-
Episode #238: How Strong Leaders Evaluate People, Alignment, and Team Fit
Strong leadership is not just seeing potential in people. It is accurately evaluating whether their behavior, humility, alignment, and consistency strengthen the mission and culture of your organization. In this episode of Mentorship Monday, Dr. Tom Miller breaks down one of the most overlooked...
-
Episode #237: Why Strong Leaders Build Next Year’s Team Before Summer
Most organizations do not struggle because people do not care. They struggle because leadership systems are inconsistent. In this episode, we unpack how strong leaders intentionally build next year’s team before the school year ends. Dr. Tom Miller shares leadership lessons, organizational…
more -
Episode #236: The Question Every Leader Must Answer (Fire or Keep)
As the school year winds down, leaders are quietly making decisions that will define next year’s culture. In this episode, we tackle one of the most important—and uncomfortable—questions every leader must answer: If someone on your team applied today… knowing what you know now… would you hire…
more -
Episode #235: Building a Culture People Don’t Want to Leave
Why do your best people leave? Not the ones who struggle—but the ones you wish you could keep. In this episode, we tackle one of the most important leadership challenges in today’s schools: retention. As the year winds down, leaders are facing low morale, burnout, and staff quietly deciding…
more -
Episode #234: Leading Under Pressure: How to Stay Clear, Confident, and in Control
Pressure doesn’t create your leadership—it reveals it. In this episode, we focus on one of the most important (and most tested) leadership skills: how to lead under pressure. As the school year winds down, leaders are facing increased demands—staffing decisions, parent concerns, board…
more -
Episode #233: The Law of Recruitment: The Board You Build Is the School You Become
Most charter school boards don’t struggle because of effort—they struggle because of recruitment. In this training, Dr. Tom Miller breaks down The Law of Recruitment and why the long-term success of your school is directly tied to the board you intentionally build and sustain. You’ll learn why...
-
Episode #232: Moving the Middle: How Great Leaders Build Culture Through Influence
Most leaders believe they need to convince the resistant or rely on their strongest people to change culture. But what if that’s the wrong focus entirely? In this episode, we break down one of the most important leadership concepts for building a high-performing organization: moving the middle....
-
Episode 231: Creating a Culture That Performs: Why Accountability Alone Isn’t Enough
Creating a Culture That Performs: Why Accountability Alone Isn’t Enough Most leaders think they have an accountability problem. But what if the real issue isn’t accountability at all? In this episode, we explore why culture is not built on expectations alone—it’s built on what people believe and...
-
Episode 230: Creating Stability in Uncertain Times: From Chaos to Clarity
In a season where disruption feels constant, many leaders are waiting for things to settle down. But stability isn’t something you wait for—it’s something you create. In this episode of Monday Mentorship with Tom Miller, we explore how leaders build clarity, consistency, and alignment inside…
more -
Episode #229: The Leadership Moment We Are In: From Disruption to Direction
Leadership today is not what it was five years ago. In a world of constant disruption, rising expectations, and rapid change, school leaders are being asked to do more, move faster, and lead with greater clarity than ever before. Monday Mentorship with Tom Miller is a weekly leadership…
more -
Episode #228: From Drift to Execution- A 90-Day Plan for Charter School Leaders
Most charter school improvement plans don’t fail because they’re poorly written. They fail because execution breaks down underneath the plan. In this short message, I explain: Why leadership alignment matters more than strategy Where doubt, assumptions, and culture drift quietly undermine…
more -
Episode #227: Why Charter Schools Fail: The Governance Conversations Boards Avoid
Schools don’t fail overnight—they drift when hard governance conversations are avoided. Dr. Tom Miller explores why boards struggle with accountability, the assumptions that undermine leadership, and the one question every board must be willing to ask. This episode is a must-listen for charter...
-
Episode #226: Leaders Don’t Drift on Purpose: A 90-Day Leadership Reset
Leadership drift doesn’t happen overnight. It happens quietly — through unclear priorities, avoided conversations, and unexamined patterns. In this episode, I share a 90-day leadership reset built for school administrators and executive leaders who want to move from reaction to intention. We’ll...
-
Episode 225: Lesson 3: The Culture Equation: How Doubt + Assumptions Erode Trust
Culture doesn’t collapse because of one dramatic event. It erodes slowly — through the emotional and relational gaps leaders don’t see. In Lesson 3 of this leadership mini-series, we tie everything together: how doubt forms internally, how assumptions grow relationally, and how the combination...
-
Episode 224: Lesson 2: The Most Dangerous Form of Leadership: Assumptions
Assumptions are the most dangerous form of leadership — not because they’re loud, but because they’re silent. In this second episode of the 3-part leadership series on Doubt, Assumptive Leadership, and Cultural Erosion, we expose how assumptions quietly destroy trust, relationships, clarity, and...
-
Episode 223: Lesson 1: DOUBT: The Silent Enemy:
Doubt is one of the most silent and persistent forces in leadership — and it takes more principals out of the game than burnout, conflict, or workload ever will. In this first episode of our 3-part leadership series, we break down the truth about doubt: what it is, why it shows up, and how it...
-
Book Session #5: Parent Engagement and Effective Governance
In this final book study episode, we discuss the keys to healthy and effective governance and how a high performing school leader engages families. Grab your copy of the book and supplemental resources at: www.tenindictors.com
-
Book Study Session #4: Fiscal Vitality, Operations and Capacity
Cash is the oxygen that drives the overall programming, however, understanding what drives vitality and programming. Our team talks through the best practices when it comes to charter school finances, operation and capacity based on the book, The Ten Indicators of High Performing Charter Schools....
-
Open Q and A: Monthly Mentorship
This podcast episode covers 20 questions asked to your mentor in the areas of: - Time management - Creating Buy In - Finishing the 4th Quarter Strong - Goal Setting - Vision Casting - School Culture Links Mentioned: 15 Minute Miracle: https://www.leaders-building-leaders.com/Time-Management-Tool...
-
Book Study Session #3: Quality Staff and High Performing Culture
This session we review and provide resources of the three indicators that will create the most change in your school: 1. Staff supervision and development 2. A behavior based hiring process that works 3. Defining the culture you desire to see and have throughout the school community Get the book...
-
Book Study Session #2: 10 Indicators of High Performing Charter Schools
Today's session, special guest and high performing principal Ted Duncan and I discussed: 1. Why it’s critical to have established and written down academic goals 2.The importance of an agreed upon and clearly defined education plan 3. How to oversee this plan and discuss data that matters Buy the...
-
Book Study Session #1: 10 Indicators of High Performing Charter Schools
Sustained Mission and Vision Join the study and buy the book www.tenindicators.com #highperformance #charterschools #leadership
-
High Performing Challenge Day #10: The main reason charter schools fail
All failed charter schools can be traced back to the actions or non-actions of the governing board. With so much at stake, student learning, millions of dollars in public funds, and safety of all humans on the campus, what I have found is that when it comes to effective governance practices it…
more -
High Performing Challenge Day #9: This is the freedom to your high performing school
Every day, schools have hundreds, maybe thousands of individuals running through your school. Each one follows schedules, systems, and procedures that they have learned. If you have toured as many schools as I have, it becomes very clear when a school is disorganized. Listen to this episode and...
-
High Performing Challenge Day #8: Everything matters here
I am sure you have visited other schools but have you ever taken the time to be a guest in your own school? Have you ever arrived on campus through the car line when the families do? Ever look for a parking space during the middle of the day? Ever entered the building through the mindset and...
-
High Performing Challenge Day #7: Cash is the oxygen that drives your school
Cash is the oxygen that drives your school’s ultimate success. Without it, operations are challenging, ineffective and stressful. There is a solution. Listen to this episode to get a clear strategy to ensure your charter school will always be operating in the black. Get a copy of the book and…
more -
High Performance Challenge Day #6: Are your parents partners in the process?
Charter schools would not exist if it was not for parent engagement and stakeholder partnerships. Indicator 6, Parent and Stakeholder Partnerships, will provide you with key systems and strategies to engage all levels of stakeholders to partner up and support around the school. Take your free 10...
-
High Performing Challenge Day #5 Culture eats vision for breakfast
Indicator 5 is a Healthy School Culture Conducive for Learning. There's one thing that great schools all have in common, and that's they have great organizational culture, a very healthy culture. Culture is everything because culture eats vision for breakfast and strategy for lunch. This episode...
-
High Performing Challenge Day #4: Are you developing your staff?
Indicator 4, A Sustained High-Quality Administrative, Teaching, and Support Staff, will be the most challenging but most important indicator of all. It is all about people development because leadership expert John Maxwell, said, “The single biggest way to impact an organization is to focus on...
-
High Performing Challenge Day #3: Are students learning at your school?
Indicator 3, Focusing on the Quality of Student Work through a Data-Driven Culture, truly answers the organizational health question, how will we succeed? This indicator is focusing on the quality of student work as demonstrated through a data-driven culture. Lauren and I unpack the substandards...
-
High Performing Challenge Day 2: Does everyone know the goals and the plan?
Indicator 2, The Quality Work of the School, can be best summarized with the great quote, a goal without a plan is just a wish. In this podcast episode Lauren and I unpack the importance of setting and writing down goals and having a clear strategy and written down plan to accomplish them. When…
more -
High Performance Challenge Day 1: Why does your school exist?
A Clear and Sustained Mission and Vision is the first and possibly most important of the 10 Indicators of High Performing Charter Schools. It’s mainly because with clarity and sustainability, school leaders can lead with consistency. Consistency in their decision-making and focus. Focus on what…
more -
Why My Book on High Performing Schools Will Help Everyone
Charter school enrollment is on the rise across the country. So are charter school closings…That’s why every charter school leader, board member and charter school proponent should read my new book, the first of its kind, 10 Indicators of High Performing Charter Schools. It’s based on 20+ years…
more -
A Framework for Leading and Having Conversations With Difficult Adults
Download the workbook and resources here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1c6eJ0gztAPJt6iMU2Jed8s-53tbdf4mY?usp=drive_link
-
Start Living Out Your Legacy Today
You might not be able to start over, but you can start right now and begin creating a strong ending, by living out your legacy by intentionally living these two leadership laws every minute of the day! Maxwell Leadership Certified coaches, Jo Ann Hallway and Jennifer Killen joined be on this deep...
-
Only Secure Leaders Do This
Every leader is either a lifter or a limiter of people. If you limit people, you limit not only them but yourself. But if you lift them up, then there is no telling how far they- or you - can go. In this episode, fellow school leader and Maxwell Certified Coach Ted Duncan and I discuss two…
more -
Activity is NOT Necessarily Accomplishments (Law of Priorities)
Do you know what your priorities are? Are you aware of what factor truly determines whether or not you will be successful today? In this podcast episode we discuss two key leadership laws and their impact they are having on your school. Special guest, educator and leadership coach Brett Clark…
more -
Do your people "buy in" to you?
People must first buy into the leaders before they will buy into the mission and vision. In this episode, special guest and Maxwell Leadership Coach Jo Ann Hall and I, discuss two of Maxwell's 21 Laws and their impact in education. Learn more about JoAnn:...
-
School Improvement Planning in October
As a school leader you are always telescopic on the future, and microscopic on the now. Here are nine questions as a school leader I am asking myself and my team to ensure we are working towards better overall results. Links to resources: Principal Checklist:...
-
I Got Nothing
Struggling through growth can be hard. But there are three key actions you can take to move from struggles to success. I'll share these three through a lesson leadership expert John Maxwell taught me. #growthmindset #awareness #leadership
-
The True Purpose of Your Goal
I'll share the true purpose to goal setting and a framework I have used for the last six years to achieve a life I never dreamed possible. Seeking a personal growth program that works? Join our Empowerment Mentoring Community https://www.leaders-building-leaders.com/offers/FVg7NPrD
-
There is No Secret to Success (part 1)
If you Google Secret to Success you will get millions of articles about the secrets to success. There is no secret...there is a formula however and I'll share it with you in a multiple part series. #success #growth #mindset #goals
-
Do I Have a Future Here?
Spring is for recruiting...and your top people are shopping for who is going to feed their hunger for growth and opportunity. I share three key elements to creating an environment where people want to work forever! #growth #growthmindset #culture #charterschools #recruitment #hiringtalent Links...
-
Set the Table and Eat the Frog
This episode focuses on how to plan your day so you are focused on the right work and being more productive and less active! I'll share my thoughts on award winning book, Eat that Frog, and provide the strategies to prioritize your day and execute at the highest level.
-
Three Key Principles for Principals (Special Guest Budd Dingwall)
Today's guest, Budd Dingwall, is a two time principal of a National Blue Ribbon school, valued member of the school leadership community, mentor and friend to so many. Today Budd shares letters he's received over his 50 years in education. These letters helped him formulate his Ten Principles for...
-
How to Handle Resistance
Rules without relationships equals resistance. Here are eight key strategies you can utilize as a leader to build momentum and overcome resistance from your team or organization.
-
Powerless But Not Helpless (Author Interview)
Since the pandemic the usage of legal and illegal substances has risen to significant proportions with over one third of people reporting they have increased their daily usage over the last two years. As a recovering addict, I felt compelled to share a little of my story while inviting a fellow...
About this show
Dr. Tom Miller understands the unique set of challenges facing both aspiring and experienced charter school leaders today. Tom has spent more than two decades at the forefront in school leadership. First as an exceptional children’s teacher who worked his way into a middle school principal position. When he wrote his dissertation on the Characteristics of Effective Charter Schools, he was recruited by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction to be a statewide consultant. Through his certification through the John Maxwell Team, he started his own business facilitating elite-level leadership development and executive coaching to school and business leaders seeking to navigate a course from success to significance. Tom lives in Raleigh, North Carolina, he is the father of two and the lucky husband of one beautiful wife, Jennifer.
Hosted by
Leaders Building Leaders
Categories