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In this episode, George Borum shares his transformative journey through 15 years of educational leadership, surviving 11 different bosses while maintaining his commitment to student success and learning the value of playing the supporting role.

• Understanding the power of being in the "second chair" leadership position
• How playing supporting roles teaches valuable leadership skills, like Scottie Pippen alongside Michael Jordan
• The importance of connecting personally with staff members beyond classroom performance
• Why bad leadership creates toxic workplace environments that hurt student outcomes
• How school culture and staff culture are interdependent, not separate considerations
• The evolution of charter schools and providing educational options for families
• Challenges of the "no excuses" model in education and its impact on students
• Building meaningful parent partnerships by having honest, jargon-free conversations
• Creating a Montessori charter school that makes innovative learning accessible to all
• Learning from both good and bad leadership examples to develop your authentic style

If you're interested in supporting Schenectady Scholar Charter School or learning more about George's work blending Montessori principles with charter school accessibility, check out these links:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/schenectady-scholars-charter-school/posts/?feedView=all

Don't let your boss suck the life out of you.
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Laura Butler's remarkable journey from band room to boardroom reveals how resilience and adaptability can transform career obstacles into opportunities for growth. Beginning with an unwavering passion for music education, Laura found her calling in high school classrooms where she created transformative experiences for students through band programs that functioned like families.

Behind the scenes, Laura navigated a gauntlet of challenges that many educators face: combative administrators who slashed budgets for essential program elements, parents threatening violence over discipline issues, and even dangerous situations involving weapons and drugs on campus. These experiences cultivated a resilience that would serve her throughout her career journey. "Teachers have PTSD too," she remarks, highlighting the often-overlooked stresses educators endure.

When her path as a music teacher was interrupted by her husband's military career and the impossible task of maintaining teaching credentials across state lines, Laura faced what she calls "an existential crisis." Rather than surrendering to circumstances, she discovered an unexpected opportunity working with transitioning military personnel. This pivot allowed her to apply her educator's heart in new ways – helping veterans translate their military experience into civilian success.

Through roles with government contractors, nonprofits, and major consulting firms, Laura has built programs that bridge the cultural and professional gaps between military and civilian worlds. Her work has contributed to dramatically reducing unemployment rates among veterans by addressing both practical skills and the subtle cultural adjustments necessary for their success in new environments.

Laura's story demonstrates how the skills developed in one career – teaching, mentoring, curriculum design, and navigating complex organizational politics – can become the foundation for success in entirely different sectors. For anyone feeling trapped in their current role or facing seemingly insurmountable career obstacles, her journey offers both inspiration and practical wisdom about finding new paths to purpose.

Have you faced unexpected career transitions? How might your current challenges be preparing you for future opportunities? Join the conversation and share your story of career resilience and reinvention.

Don't let your boss suck the life out of you.
Share your bad boss story on our website.
Learn more or Book Natalie.

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Katherine Coles shares her journey from struggling as a first-time leader to developing a leadership philosophy centered on partnership, integrity, and continuous learning. She transforms her understanding of what makes an effective leader by recognizing that leadership requires both self-awareness and intentional relationship-building.

• Leadership isn't about compelling people to follow but creating conditions where they choose to follow
• Only 8% of the population has true self-awareness, making intentional leadership development crucial
• Leaders who don't hear, see, or acknowledge team members create the worst working environments
• Speaking truth to power requires balancing the desire to be right with the desire to be heard
• Modern organizational systems often focus on outcomes while neglecting how people experience change
• Career transitions provide opportunities to develop adaptability and depth of understanding
• Building systems that honor people as much as performance creates sustainable organizational success
• Being grounded in personal values provides protection when navigating broken systems
• Faith can provide both direction and conviction when making difficult leadership decisions

If you're navigating broken systems, feeling unheard, or seeking to develop as a more effective leader, this conversation offers practical wisdom and inspiration.

Don't let your boss suck the life out of you.
Share your bad boss story on our website.
Learn more or Book Natalie.