Ep #416: The Culture of Complaining

Have you noticed an uptick in complaining at your school lately?   Maybe it's the constant venting about broken technology, construction delays, or just the general "heaviness" of the year. We've all been there, nodding along as someone vents, secretly agreeing with their frustrations. But when we jump in the pool with complainers, nobody's left on the sidelines to throw a life preserver.   Tune in this week to discover a powerful approach to transform the culture of complaining into empowerment. You'll learn the exact questions to ask that flip the energy from helpless to hopeful, and how to create a complaint-free culture without dismissing legitimate concerns.    Find the full episode show notes and transcript, click here: https://angelakellycoaching.com/416   Keep up with me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/akellycoaching/

Have you ever noticed how kids approach new experiences?   My 10-year-old niece came over the other night to bake brownies. When I asked if she'd found the recipe online, she said, "No, I just created it. I made it up and I want to try it." Her confidence in her creative ability stopped me in my tracks. Because here's what I realized: We're all born creators, but somewhere along the way, we forget.   Join me this week as I explore how we've all used this creative ability before. You'll hear why everything in life is a form of art, including leadership, how your feelings about yourself directly impact your leadership outcomes, and a powerful reframe for those moments when you feel like circumstances are happening to you rather than being created by you.   Find the full episode show notes and transcript, click here: https://angelakellycoaching.com/415   Keep up with me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/akellycoaching/

Have you ever been in a relationship where you know something's wrong, but you're too afraid to talk about it because you don't want it to end? That's exactly what's happening in education right now.   We're clinging to the old paradigm where we're the authority figures, students comply without question, and everyone understands the value of school. Deep down, we school leaders know that world doesn't exist anymore. We're struggling to articulate the value of what we offer, grappling with the very purpose of school itself, while students and families seem to be questioning whether they're buying what we're selling anymore.   Tune in this week to discover why it's time to have courageous conversations about education's future, how confusion might be at the root of our exhaustion and overwhelm, and what happens when we finally sit down to talk about what we really want school to look like and feel like. This isn't about going back to the way things were. It's about stepping up to the leadership table and navigating the discomfort of not having all the answers while still moving forward.   Find the full episode show notes and transcript, click here: https://angelakellycoaching.com/414   Keep up with me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/akellycoaching/

Have you noticed how the value of education is being questioned by everyone - students, parents, even some of your staff?   Since the pandemic, there's been an explosion of change in how people view school. Students question why they need to attend. Parents wonder if the curriculum still matters. And you're caught in the middle, trying to uphold standards while the ground shifts beneath your feet. The truth is, we're experiencing a massive disconnect between what educators believe school should be and what our communities actually want. And that disconnect? It's drowning us in doubt.   Join me this week as I explore why there's such a disconnect between educator expectations and community values, and how to recalibrate the purpose of school for today's reality. If you've been feeling like you're losing at the game of education, this episode will help you understand why, and show you a path forward.   Find the full episode show notes and transcript, click here: https://angelakellycoaching.com/413   Keep up with me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/akellycoaching/

Have you ever felt so exhausted that even a full night's sleep doesn't help? Maybe you're dragging yourself to school each morning, fighting back tears in the parking lot. Or sitting in your car for an hour after work because you just can't face going inside yet. I get it. As educators, we give everything to our students… often at the expense of our own wellbeing.   This week, I'm joined by Dr. Michelle Chanda Singh to explore her journey from burnout to balance, and how she discovered that teacher wellness isn't selfish - it's essential. And in this episode, she shares a revolutionary framework that changed everything for her, and could transform your teaching experience too.   Tune in to discover why you have to feel well to teach well, and how, when teachers model self-regulation and wellness practices, it creates ripple effects throughout classrooms, schools, and communities. Dr. Michelle shares the 7 areas of rest (and why you're probably deficient in at least 3 of them), and how to incorporate micro-moments of restoration throughout your school day.   Meet Dr. Michelle Chanda Singh: Dr. Michelle Chanda Singh is a National Board Certified Teacher, CEO of LCT-E Learning Solutions®, and founder of Restful Teacher® and Empty2Empowered™. A globally recognized education leader, Michelle champions equity, innovation, and well-being in education. Her EQUAL Methodology™ equips educators and leaders with research-based strategies and emerging technologies to create inclusive and engaging learning environments.   As a Jamaican immigrant, Michelle's passion for cultural empathy and inclusivity has fueled over two decades of transformative impact as a teacher, district leader, professor, consultant, and speaker. Through her curricula, training programs,  and keynotes, she provides actionable solutions to today's biggest educational and organizational challenges—from burnout to disengagement—helping schools, institutions, and organizations cultivate thriving leaders and empowered learners.   Find the full episode show notes and transcript, click here: https://angelakellycoaching.com/412   Keep up with me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/akellycoaching/

Veteran principals sometimes share a secret that newer leaders might not expect: the work can feel repetitive, uninspiring, even boring. When you've mastered the routines of observation cycles, behavior investigations, and IEP meetings, when you've successfully calmed the chaos and created systems that work, you might find yourself wondering if this is all there is to school leadership.   If you're a veteran principal feeling disconnected from your work, you're not alone. I recently coached a highly successful principal in her fourth year who confessed she felt bored. Not overwhelmed. Not stressed. Just... blah.   If you're catching yourself thinking, "What's the point?" as you face another round of observations or another behavior investigation, this episode is for you. You'll learn why you're feeling this way, and how to bring fresh energy to your role and rediscover the excitement you felt when you first landed this position.   Find the full episode show notes and transcript, click here: https://angelakellycoaching.com/411

Have you ever lost sleep over that one teacher who seems to disagree with everything you do? Or found yourself obsessing over why certain staff members just don't seem to like you? I get it. I've been there.   In fact, I remember spending countless hours trying to win over teachers who didn't like me. Stewing over their eye rolls, analyzing their non-verbals, and desperately trying to figure out what I did wrong. The truth? I was wasting precious time and energy that could have been spent actually leading. That's why this week's episode is a game-changer.   Join me this week to learn about the 1/3 perspective: a simple but powerful framework that completely transformed how I approach relationships as a school leader. You'll discover why chasing approval from those who don't like you is actually preventing you from being an effective leader, and how accepting this natural distribution of relationships can free up your time and energy for what really matters. Most importantly, you'll learn how to use the discomfort of not being liked as curriculum for your own growth and expansion as a leader.   Find the full episode show notes and transcript, click here: https://angelakellycoaching.com/410   Get in touch with me:  https://www.facebook.com/akellycoaching/ https://www.instagram.com/angelakellycoaching/?hl=en https://www.linkedin.com/in/angela-kelly-robeck-57774835

Does your heart rate spike when your superintendent's name pops up in your inbox?   As an educational leadership coach, I've noticed a universal pattern - that nervous feeling around authority figures. Whether it's a fear of criticism, worry about disappointing them, or anxiety about being micromanaged, these physical reactions to authority figures in education aren't just about the present moment - they're deeply rooted in patterns that shape how we show up as leaders.   Join me this week as I peel back the layers and examine what you're actually afraid of. I share the real reasons behind anxiety around your boss or superintendent, and three powerful questions that will help you understand your emotions so you can transform that anxiety into empowered leadership.   Find the full episode show notes and transcript, click here: https://angelakellycoaching.com/409   Get in touch with me:  https://www.facebook.com/akellycoaching/ https://www.instagram.com/angelakellycoaching/?hl=en https://www.linkedin.com/in/angela-kelly-robeck-57774835

As you make your classroom rounds this week, I want to ask you something: when was the last time you focused not just on what you saw, but what you felt when you walked into a classroom?   We've all had that experience - walking into one room where everything flows perfectly, then stepping into another where something feels... off. Even before we see any tangible evidence. That's not coincidence. That's energy.   The most exceptional school leaders understand that teaching and learning isn't just about what it looks like. It's about what it actually is. Join me this week as I challenge you to think differently about your classroom walkthroughs and observations, and explore how, by tuning into the energy of each classroom, leaders can move beyond compliance toward creating environments where everyone genuinely wants to be.   Find the full episode show notes and transcript, click here: https://angelakellycoaching.com/408   Get in touch with me:  https://www.facebook.com/akellycoaching/ https://www.instagram.com/angelakellycoaching/?hl=en https://www.linkedin.com/in/angela-kelly-robeck-57774835

I recently had a client schedule a one-on-one after a particularly challenging incident where a student admitted to a behavior during the investigation, then went home and adamantly denied everything to their parents.   The parent confronted my client, confused about the conflicting stories, and suddenly she found herself in a situation where someone's telling the truth and someone's not. When we feel accused of lying or our integrity is questioned, our fight or flight response can kick in faster than we can think, leading to defensiveness or shutdown.   Join me this week to discover what to do when you're accused of lying. We'll explore why children tell different stories at school versus home, and how to stay emotionally regulated and curious instead of reactive so you can maintain your leadership position.   Find the full episode show notes and transcript, click here: https://angelakellycoaching.com/407   Get in touch with me:  https://www.facebook.com/akellycoaching/ https://www.instagram.com/angelakellycoaching/?hl=en https://www.linkedin.com/in/angela-kelly-robeck-57774835