Leadership in the Face of Brokenness

As a coach and mentor, I often work with school leaders who feel like they’re fighting an uphill battle.

“I don’t know how to fix this,” one principal told me recently. “Our discipline numbers are up, our staff is overwhelmed, and it feels like everything is falling apart.”

I’ve been there. I know what it’s like to feel paralyzed by the enormity of the challenges in front of you. You’re expected to be the problem-solver, the decision-maker, the steady hand when everything feels unstable. But here’s a lesson I had to learn the hard way:

Leadership isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about showing up—with courage, with compassion, and with a commitment to do the next right thing, even when the path forward isn’t clear.

The Emotional Weight of Leadership

Being a school leader isn’t just about managing policies and procedures—it’s about holding space for people. It’s carrying the emotional weight of:

A burned-out teacher who feels like they can’t reach their students anymore.
A student acting out because home is a war zone, and school is the only place they feel seen.
A parent at their wits’ end because they don’t know how to help their child succeed.

This work is deeply human, and that’s what makes it so complex. We’re not just leading systems—we’re leading people, and people come with stories, wounds, and struggles that don’t fit neatly into an intervention plan.

I’ve had days where I sat in my car before walking into a building, gathering the strength to take on what I knew was waiting inside. I’ve felt the exhaustion that comes from carrying the weight of an entire school community. And I’ve questioned whether I was making any real difference.

But I’ve also seen what happens when leaders refuse to give up. I’ve watched as small shifts in leadership—acts of patience, connection, and trust—create ripples that transform entire school cultures.

What I’ve Seen Work

Here’s what I’ve learned about leading through moments of crisis:

1. Start Small: Focus on One Area Where You Can Make an Immediate Impact

You don’t have to fix everything overnight. When the challenges feel overwhelming, the best thing you can do is start somewhere.

• Hold a restorative circle for students who are struggling.

• Host a listening session where staff can share concerns without fear of judgment.

• Set up weekly gratitude check-ins to remind your team of what’s going well.

Sometimes, the smallest actions have the greatest impact. The simple act of listening—really listening—can change the energy in a building.

2. Lean on Your Community: You Don’t Have to Do This Alone

One of the biggest mistakes school leaders make is thinking they have to be the hero. But leadership isn’t about individual strength—it’s about collective resilience.

• Tap into your staff—find the natural connectors and problem-solvers in your building who can help carry the load.

• Engage parents and caregivers—invite them into the process instead of just updating them on problems.

• Listen to your students—they often have the clearest insights into what’s working and what’s not.

Your community is full of wisdom. Trust that.

3. Be Patient With Yourself: Change Takes Time

You’re not failing because things aren’t fixed overnight. You’re not a bad leader because the problems feel bigger than your solutions.

Transformation doesn’t happen in a single staff meeting or a one-time policy change. It happens in the small, consistent actions you take every single day:

• The way you respond instead of react.

• The moments you pause before making a tough decision.

• The times you choose empathy even when frustration feels easier.

There will be setbacks. There will be days when you wonder if anything is working. But leadership isn’t about perfection—it’s about persistence.

Your Leadership Matters

I know the work is heavy. But I also know that every small act of care creates ripples that can transform a school.

I’ve seen the hardest-to-reach students turn into the strongest leaders. I’ve seen burned-out teachers find new energy because they felt supported. I’ve seen schools shift from cultures of survival to cultures of thriving—all because leaders decided to lead with courage and compassion.

So, let me ask you:

What small step can you take today to lead with courage and compassion?

Your school doesn’t need a perfect leader. It needs a present one. Keep showing up. The work you’re doing matters more than you know.