Control+Shift+Lead: The Education Leadership Podcast

ForwardEd Network
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Control+Shift+Lead is a podcast about leadership in education—for every educator, not just those with a title. Whether you’re leading a classroom, a school, or an entire district, leadership today means navigating constant change with clarity, intention, and agency. This show explores what it really takes to lead in modern education—from instructional leadership and school culture to decision-making, innovation, and personal growth. Each episode features practical insights, real stories, and honest conversations with educators who are leading from where they are. Because in today’s schools, leadership isn’t a position—it’s a mindset. If you’re a teacher, instructional coach, administrator, or aspiring leader looking to grow your impact, Control+Shift+Lead is your space. Hosted by Jim Wichman and Adam Busch, this show dives into the real-world complexities of K-12 education. From the exhaustion of the first week of school to the high-level shifts required to integrate AI into your practice, Jim and Adam offer practical blueprints for resetting expectations, building culture, and staying "mentally present" for your students and colleagues. What We Explore: Taking Control: How to stop reacting to the chaos and start defining the future of your learning environment. Driving the Shift: Shifting mindsets from traditional management to true mentorship, community building, and personal agency. Leading with Presence: Strategies for boosting morale, supporting your peers, and recognizing the "whole child" in every student. Whether you are a seasoned principal, an aspiring administrator, or a teacher leading from the front lines, Control+Shift+Lead provides the weekly boost you need to finish the year strong and lead your community forward. Part of the ForwardEd Network: Advancing Voices, Shaping Education.

  1. 6d ago

    Stop Forcing Compliance: How to Map Influence in Your School

    Why do clear school initiatives stall six months after everyone nods along in your staff meeting? It’s because positional authority can only mandate basic compliance—it can never cultivate true commitment. If your plan is "clearly communicated" but your educators aren't moving, you don't have a communication problem; you have an influence challenge. In this special one-year anniversary episode of Control+Shift+Lead, host Jim Wichman (Inspired Edification) and co-host Dr. Ben Johnson (Assistant Superintendent) celebrate one year of changemaking conversations by diving deep into the mechanics of Intentional Influence and Cultural Mapping. They are joined by special guest Bobby Dodd (Director of Business Services, former High School Principal, and National Digital Principal of the Year) to dismantle the ultimate administrative excuse: "I just don't have time." Bobby shares the exact blueprints he used to scale radical data transparency, electronic instructional walkthroughs, and purposeful relationship-building across a massive high school campus of 3,700 students and 200 staff members. Tune in to discover how to look at your school building not as a rigid hierarchy, but as a human mosaic. Learn how tracing the invisible professional networks of veteran teachers, coaches, and arts directors can expose hidden leverage points that spark organic, long-term school improvement. Key Takeaways From This Episode: Influence vs. Communication: An initiative isn't successful just because it was clearly delivered; it’s only clear if the recipients perceive and adopt it that way. Real movement happens through intentional background influence.The Reality of Cultural Mapping: Learn how to visualize your school as a mosaic of micro-relationships, tracing who holds natural influence and using that map to drive organic buy-in.The Hallway Trap: Why simple pleasantries like "Hey, how's it going?" are purely transactional and how they leave up to 80% of staff feeling unvalued on school climate surveys.The 15-Minute Rule: How replacing passive check-ins with structured, 15-minute purposeful alignment meetings transforms school culture without overwhelming your calendar.Radical Transparency: How sharing walkthrough data and morale measures openly builds bulletproof institutional trust. “Influence becomes much more intentional when we stop assuming and start understanding.” — Jim Wichman About the Podcast: Control+Shift+Lead is a premier educational leadership podcast designed for school principals, district administrators, superintendents, instructional coaches, and education changemakers. Produced in association with Adam Busch from AWB Education and ForwardEd, the show delivers practical, expert-driven, and actionable strategies focused on school innovation, systems thinking, and structural growth. Connect with Us: Explore the ForwardEd Network: http://www.forwardednetwork.comConnect with Jim Wichman: jim@forwardednetwork.comConnect with Adam Busch: adam@forwardednetwork.com Enjoying the show? Leave us a review, subscribe, and share this episode with a fellow school leader who is ready to shift their impact from compliance to true commitment!

    49 min

  2. May 1

    Finishing Strong Navigating the May Slide in Leadership

    Are you and your staff just "crawling to the finish line"? 🏃‍♂️ The "May Slide" can drain the energy out of even the best school cultures. Discover how to stay present, celebrate the journey, and finish the year with purpose. EPISODE SUMMARY In this episode of Control+Shift+Lead, hosts Adam Busch and Jim Wichman host a leadership roundtable with Dr. Jeremy Braden and Dr. Jill Urich. We tackle the unique challenges of the end-of-year season in education. We explore the "Control" and "Shift" segments of leadership, focusing on what to stop doing right now to reduce noise for your staff and how to move from simple reflection into intentional design for the next school year. WHAT YOU’LL LEARN Why "counting down" to summer can be a leadership mistake.The "Restaurant Analogy" and its impact on student learning.How to get out of the "data mud" using AI and trend analysis.Moving from a "gotcha" mentality to a growth-oriented school culture. WHAT PROBLEMS THIS EPISODE SOLVES Feeling drained and "spent" during the end-of-year rush.Struggling to turn end-of-year reflections into actionable change.Managing staff anxiety as the school year closes.Avoiding the "May Slide" in leadership visibility. ABOUT THE PODCAST Control+Shift+Lead features Adam Busch (AWB Education, ForwardEd Network) and Jim Wichman (Inspired Edification, ForwardEd Network). The show is dedicated to helping educational leaders move from survival mode into intentional design through systems thinking and innovation. CALL TO ACTION If this helped you rethink your May strategy, please subscribe and share this with a fellow educator!

    40 min

  3. Apr 1

    Building a Community of Belonging in Schools: Insights from Dr. Chad Lang

    𝗜𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹'𝘀 𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺 𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗰𝗸 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝘁𝗵 𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘂𝗿𝘆? ⚾️ Dr. Chad Lang joins us to explain why "tightening the strike zone" on assessment is the only way to prepare students for a globalized world where competency is king. In this episode of Control+Shift+Lead, hosts Jim Wichman and Adam Busch talk with Dr. Chad Lang about the intersection of leadership, assessment, and the "real world." Dr. Lang shares a powerful analogy comparing Major League Baseball umpires to classroom teachers, showing how evolution—not just change—leads to better outcomes for kids.If you’ve ever struggled to lead your staff through grading reform or wondered how to align your school's systems with the modern economy, this conversation provides the roadmap. 𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗬𝗢𝗨’𝗟𝗟 𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗡 • How to use the "Umpire Analogy" to simplify assessment reform. • Why the "real world" argument actually supports standards-based practices. • How professional development acts as the catalyst for tightening the "strike zone". • The importance of "aiming small" to communicate student evidence clearly. 𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗕𝗟𝗘𝗠𝗦 𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗦 𝗘𝗣𝗜𝗦𝗢𝗗𝗘 𝗦𝗢𝗟𝗩𝗘𝗦 • Struggling to answer parents/staff who say grading reform is "too soft." • Trying to modernize assessment without overwhelming your teachers. • Bridge the gap between "school work" and "global competency." Connect with our Guest! https://www.linkedin.com/in/chad-lang-ed-d-3864173a/ https://recalibrateedservices.com/ 𝙰̲𝙱̲𝙾̲𝚄̲𝚃̲ ̲𝚃̲𝙷̲𝙴̲ ̲𝙿̲𝙾̲𝙳̲𝙲̲𝙰̲𝚂̲𝚃̲ Control+Shift+Lead is the premier podcast for school leaders and innovators. Hosted by Adam Busch (AWB Education/ForwardEd) and Jim Wichman (Inspired Edification), we explore the shifts in thinking required to lead today’s schools.

    1h 5m
  4. Leading with Teachers Shifting the Culture of School Observations

    Mar 1

    Leading with Teachers Shifting the Culture of School Observations

    Is your feedback building professional capacity or simply creating anxiety? In this episode of Control Shift Lead, hosts Jim Wichman and Adam Busch sit down with school administrator Kanika Dorsey to dismantle the "gotcha" culture of school observations.Kanika shares her powerful framework for moving toward non-evaluative feedback, emphasizing that the most impactful leadership happens when you leave the laptop at the door and pick up a sticky note. We discuss the "Control" of the feedback loop, the "Shift" toward high-frequency, low-stakes walkthroughs, and how to "Lead" by empowering teachers to facilitate their own instructional rounds.Whether you are a seasoned principal or an aspiring leader, this conversation offers a blueprint for building a culture of trust, focusing on "one or two things" for sustainable growth, and keeping student achievement at the heart of every classroom visit. Kanika also shares her deeply personal journey of resilience—from a single parent in the Bronx to a powerhouse instructional leader—reminding us why leading with heart is non-negotiable in K-12 education. This is a ForwardEd Network production. Connect With Our Guest & Hosts Kanika Dorsey: Instagram: @kanikadorsey Reach out to the Hosts: Adam Busch: adam@awbeducation.orgJim Wichman: inspirededification@gmail.com Thank You for Listening! This has been an episode from The FowardED Network—Where we are Advancing Voices and Shaping Education. We are dedicated to supporting everyone invested in K-12 success: teachers, leaders, parents, and community advocates. Want to keep the conversation going? Subscribe: Never miss an insight. Hit the subscribe or follow button on your podcast app to automatically receive our next episode.Share the Knowledge: If this episode provided value, please take a moment to rate and review us! Your five-star reviews help new teachers, parents, and leaders find our network.Explore the Network: This show is just one part of the ForwardEd Network family. Head over to our network page to explore our full roster of interconnected podcasts, including CTRL Shift Lead, Vice Principal UnOfficed, From Carpool to College, and Your Morning Boost.Connect with Us: Have a question or an idea for a future episode? Reach out to us at pillars.forwarded@gmail.com or find us on social media using the tag #theForwardEDnetwork. Ready for your next boost? Browse our catalog and discover your next great listen on The ForwardED Network. This episode includes AI-generated content.

    36 min
  5. Be Where Your Feet Are: The Power of Presence

    Feb 1

    Be Where Your Feet Are: The Power of Presence

    In the mid-winter stretch of the school year, it’s easy for leaders to feel the weight of "the woes"—that heavy, gray season where the list of tasks grows faster than the daylight. In this episode, 32-year veteran educator Bob Long joins us to discuss a simple but transformative leadership standard: being exactly where your feet are.Designed for school administrators and lead learners, this conversation explores how to balance the "business" of education with the human needs of our students and staff. We dive into the reality of "precipitating factors"—the invisible burdens our community carries—and why the most effective leadership move you can make today is simply catching someone doing something right. You'll walk away with a renewed perspective on presence and a reminder that you don't have to be a hero; you just have to be present. Subscribe for your weekly dose of leadership perspective and share this with a colleague who needs a mid-winter boost. Thank You for Listening! This has been an episode from The FowardED Network—Where we are Advancing Voices and Shaping Education. We are dedicated to supporting everyone invested in K-12 success: teachers, leaders, parents, and community advocates. Want to keep the conversation going? Subscribe: Never miss an insight. Hit the subscribe or follow button on your podcast app to automatically receive our next episode.Share the Knowledge: If this episode provided value, please take a moment to rate and review us! Your five-star reviews help new teachers, parents, and leaders find our network.Explore the Network: This show is just one part of the ForwardEd Network family. Head over to our network page to explore our full roster of interconnected podcasts, including CTRL Shift Lead, Vice Principal UnOfficed, From Carpool to College, and Your Morning Boost.Connect with Us: Have a question or an idea for a future episode? Reach out to us at pillars.forwarded@gmail.com or find us on social media using the tag #theForwardEDnetwork. Ready for your next boost? Browse our catalog and discover your next great listen on The ForwardED Network. This episode includes AI-generated content.

    50 min
  6. From Points to Pointers: Shifting the Grading Paradigm

    Jan 5

    From Points to Pointers: Shifting the Grading Paradigm

    Welcome to the first show of 2026! We are kicking off the New Year with a "heavy hitter" in the world of education. In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Matt Townsley, an Associate Professor of Educational Leadership at the University of Northern Iowa and the acclaimed author of Making Grades Matter.If you have ever felt that traditional grading systems—driven by points, percentages, and "extra credit Kleenex boxes"—don’t accurately reflect what your students actually know, this conversation is for you. Dr. Townsley challenges us to move from a culture of "earning" to a culture of "learning." Key Highlights: The Power of Redos and Retakes: Why honoring different learning paces is essential for student success and how to implement a plan that avoids the "end-of-semester dump."The 21-Point Inspection: A brilliant analogy for shifting grading from vague percentages to detailed, standard-based feedback.Communication Over Compliance: How to move away from using grades as "carrots and sticks" and start using them as a clear map for student growth.Practical Leadership: Tips for principals on how to affirm teachers who are already innovating in their assessment practices. Stop chasing points and start focusing on evidence of learning. Tune in to learn how to diagnose the "holes in the bucket" and provide meaningful interventions that truly help students master their goals. Connect with Dr. Matt Townsley: University Profile: University of Northern Iowa FacultyBook: Making Grades Matter Thank You for Listening! This has been an episode from The FowardED Network—Where we are Advancing Voices and Shaping Education. We are dedicated to supporting everyone invested in K-12 success: teachers, leaders, parents, and community advocates. Want to keep the conversation going? Subscribe: Never miss an insight. Hit the subscribe or follow button on your podcast app to automatically receive our next episode.Share the Knowledge: If this episode provided value, please take a moment to rate and review us! Your five-star reviews help new teachers, parents, and leaders find our network.Explore the Network: This show is just one part of the ForwardEd Network family. Head over to our network page to explore our full roster of interconnected podcasts, including CTRL Shift Lead, Vice Principal UnOfficed, From Carpool to College, and Your Morning Boost.Connect with Us: Have a question or an idea for a future episode? Reach out to us at pillars.forwarded@gmail.com or find us on social media using the tag #theForwardEDnetwork. Ready for your next boost? Browse our catalog and discover your next great listen on The ForwardED Network. This episode includes AI-generated content.

    48 min
  7. From Survival to Celebration: Energizing Your Staff in December ❄️

    12/01/2025

    From Survival to Celebration: Energizing Your Staff in December ❄️

    Are you just counting down the days until winter break, or are you actively building energy to carry your staff through it?In this episode of Control Shift Lead, we are joined by Jim Dutrow, Principal of Lake Ridge Middle School in Prince William County. Together, we explore how to shift the December mindset from "survival mode" to "thriving mode." We discuss the power of being mentally present at student performances, how to turn simple visibility into deep community connections, and creative ways to combat chronic absenteeism among both students and staff.Key Takeaways: Control: How to be truly present and visible during the busy holiday arts season.Shift: Fun, actionable strategies to boost staff morale, including "Wheel of Names" giveaways and the "Snowflake in Your Pocket" game.Lead: Building tangible support systems, such as school-based food pantries, to help families navigate holiday stressors. Don't miss these practical tips to keep the "Pack Mentality" strong in your building! Subscribe and share this episode to help other leaders shift their thinking! Thank You for Listening! This has been an episode from The FowardED Network—Where we are Advancing Voices and Shaping Education. We are dedicated to supporting everyone invested in K-12 success: teachers, leaders, parents, and community advocates. Want to keep the conversation going? Subscribe: Never miss an insight. Hit the subscribe or follow button on your podcast app to automatically receive our next episode.Share the Knowledge: If this episode provided value, please take a moment to rate and review us! Your five-star reviews help new teachers, parents, and leaders find our network.Explore the Network: This show is just one part of the ForwardEd Network family. Head over to our network page to explore our full roster of interconnected podcasts, including CTRL Shift Lead, Vice Principal UnOfficed, From Carpool to College, and Your Morning Boost.Connect with Us: Have a question or an idea for a future episode? Reach out to us at pillars.forwarded@gmail.com or find us on social media using the tag #theForwardEDnetwork. Ready for your next boost? Browse our catalog and discover your next great listen on The ForwardED Network. This episode includes AI-generated content.

    45 min
  8. 🤯 Stop Reacting, Start Defining Your Future with AI! 🤖

    11/01/2025

    🤯 Stop Reacting, Start Defining Your Future with AI! 🤖

    The pace of AI and EdTech evolution can feel overwhelming, but it doesn't have to be a source of fear—it's a core leadership opportunity. Join the Control, Shift, Lead team as they welcome recognized educational technology leader and sought-after speaker, Amy Wichman. Amy, an administrator actively helping districts manage rapidly evolving technology, helps us re-frame the challenge: Control the narrative, Shift your mindset from instructional manager to digital leader, and Lead with an ethical and purposeful AI vision. Learn the practical steps leaders must take now to prepare students for a world where an AI assistant will be the norm. Don't let uncertainty lead to inaction; discover how to foster student contribution over mere consumption. 👉 Key Takeaways: How to proactively control the narrative around AI in your school community.The critical shift from an IT-only issue to a fundamental leadership responsibility.The importance of digital leadership and why you must engage parents and the community (especially since a recent study showed 83% of parents feel in the dark). Don't wait! Listen now to gain the actionable strategies you need to lead your school into the future. Subscribe, share this episode, and visit our sponsors for more resources. Thank You for Listening!  This has been an episode from The FowardED Network—Where we are Advancing Voices and Shaping Education. We are dedicated to supporting everyone invested in K-12 success: teachers, leaders, parents, and community advocates. Want to keep the conversation going? Subscribe: Never miss an insight. Hit the subscribe or follow button on your podcast app to automatically receive our next episode.Share the Knowledge: If this episode provided value, please take a moment to rate and review us! Your five-star reviews help new teachers, parents, and leaders find our network.Explore the Network: This show is just one part of the ForwardEd Network family. Head over to our network page to explore our full roster of interconnected podcasts, including CTRL Shift Lead, Vice Principal UnOfficed, From Carpool to College, and Your Morning Boost.Connect with Us: Have a question or an idea for a future episode? Reach out to us at pillars.forwarded@gmail.com or find us on social media using the tag #theForwardEDnetwork. Ready for your next boost? Browse our catalog and discover your next great listen on The ForwardED Network.

    42 min
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Control+Shift+Lead is a podcast about leadership in education—for every educator, not just those with a title. Whether you’re leading a classroom, a school, or an entire district, leadership today means navigating constant change with clarity, intention, and agency. This show explores what it really takes to lead in modern education—from instructional leadership and school culture to decision-making, innovation, and personal growth. Each episode features practical insights, real stories, and honest conversations with educators who are leading from where they are. Because in today’s schools, leadership isn’t a position—it’s a mindset. If you’re a teacher, instructional coach, administrator, or aspiring leader looking to grow your impact, Control+Shift+Lead is your space. Hosted by Jim Wichman and Adam Busch, this show dives into the real-world complexities of K-12 education. From the exhaustion of the first week of school to the high-level shifts required to integrate AI into your practice, Jim and Adam offer practical blueprints for resetting expectations, building culture, and staying "mentally present" for your students and colleagues. What We Explore: Taking Control: How to stop reacting to the chaos and start defining the future of your learning environment. Driving the Shift: Shifting mindsets from traditional management to true mentorship, community building, and personal agency. Leading with Presence: Strategies for boosting morale, supporting your peers, and recognizing the "whole child" in every student. Whether you are a seasoned principal, an aspiring administrator, or a teacher leading from the front lines, Control+Shift+Lead provides the weekly boost you need to finish the year strong and lead your community forward. Part of the ForwardEd Network: Advancing Voices, Shaping Education.

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