An Imperfect Leader: The Superintendents and Leadership Podcast

Peter Stiepleman
  • 5.0 (95)
  • EDUCATION
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Welcome to An Imperfect Leader: The Superintendents and Leadership Podcast, a series of conversations with leaders who look back at decisions they made and consider: * What happened? * What got overlooked? * What did they learn about relationships or what new relationships were formed? * What frustrated them? * What could they have done differently? * And in the end, what was something good that came out of their experience – because it is through one's mistakes where the greatest learning takes place. I'm Peter Stiepleman. I'm your host AND I'm an imperfect leader. I spent more than 20 years teaching and leading, first in the Oakland Public Schools in Oakland, CA and then in the Midwest – Missouri, to be exact – where I was a teacher, a principal, an assistant superintendent and the superintendent of the 4th largest school district in a state of more than 500 districts. I am constantly striving to learn from my experiences and from the experiences of other leaders. The aim of this podcast is to lift the learning and lift the imperfect leaders up. That way, when you hear the term imperfect, you'll see strength, strength from the candor needed to recognize imperfection as a real advantage.

  1. 6D AGO

    Ted Dintersmith on Building Schools Full of Purpose and Promise

    🚨 Are schools preparing students for a world that no longer exists? I recently had the privilege of sitting down with Ted Dintersmith, the force behind Most Likely to Succeed and Multiple Choice, and author of What School Could Be (with a new book on math coming soon!).  Our conversation centered on one big idea: the status quo isn't enough anymore. 🤖 AI changes the game: If we're training students to do what computers now do best, we're aiming at the past. We need to shift from compliance and percentile rankings to creativity, empathy, purpose, and real problem-solving. 🛠️ Career-connected learning is for everyone: Innovation Centers across the country are giving graduates (college-bound or not) hands-on experiences in fields from cybersecurity to advanced trades, so they graduate with multiple pathways, not just one. 🌟 The change is already happening: Not through mandates, but in "bright spots" where students tackle authentic community challenges. If you care about reimagining school, I hope you'll listen. 🎧 #EducationInnovation #AIinEducation #FutureOfWork #StudentAgency #WhatSchoolCouldBe -------  Follow Host Peter Stiepleman on: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-stiepleman-76004819a/ Website: https://imperfectleader.com/ YouTube (video of conversation):   https://youtu.be/VkKiXpczSEAhttps://www.youtube.com/@animperfectleaderleadershi5144/featured Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/animperfectleader/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@animperfectleader  Follow Co-host Jamie Almanzán on: Connect with APC Leadership Collaborative for support in navigating complex leadership situations: https://www.apccollab.com -------  An Imperfect Leader is sponsored by IXL. Boost learning with a platform proven to deliver results. IXL gives educators a complete K–12 curriculum and personalized learning plans that adapt to every student. Trusted by over 1 million teachers and 96 of the top 100 school districts, IXL helps schools outperform on state tests, and helps teachers focus on what matters most. IXL: Powerful data. Personalized learning. Real progress.  Discover what IXL can do for your school at IXL.com/imperfect -------  An Imperfect Leader is sponsored by Yondr.  Schools around the world are seeing the damaging effects of phones on student engagement, social development, and mental health. Yondr has developed a unique product and program to allow schools to become phone-free, from arrival to dismissal. Learn why 1 Million Students use Yondr every day. MINIMIZE DISTRACTIONS. MAXIMIZE LEARNING POTENTIAL. Go to overyondr.com to learn more.    ------    The Mosaic Project, one of our favorite organizations, has over 25 years of experience empowering students to celebrate differences, communicate assertively, and resolve conflicts peacefully at their outdoor school. Their innovative SEL curriculum is now available to An Imperfect Leader listeners at a 10% discount through their new documentary film-based Mosaic Classroom Project!  The Project's ready-to-use lesson plans include film, original music, "gametivities", and real conversations.  We're proud to partner with The Mosaic Project in helping educators build inclusive, peaceful learning communities! Just mention An Imperfect Leader during the onboarding  process to receive the 10% discount.    Learn more about The Mosaic Classroom Project. ------ Think differently. Think in systems.  Reach out to The Waters Center for Systems Thinking to learn more about how systems thinking capacity building can strengthen your team and organization.  Homepage: www.waterscenterst.org Thinking Tools Studio: https://thinkingtoolsstudio.waterscenterst.org ------ An Imperfect Leader: Leadership in (After) Action is supported by ILAA, LLC, a firm dedicated to supporting aspiring, new, and established leaders. For more information, please find them at imperfectleader.com. Music for An Imperfect Leader was written and arranged by Ian Varley. Sam Falbo created our artwork, a wood-print inspired daruma doll butterfly.

    1h 7m

  2. FEB 10

    Winning Screen Time: Patrick Green on Curiosity, Creativity, and Student Agency

    In the latest episode of An Imperfect Leader, I sat down with Patrick Green, author of Classroom Management in the Digital Age, to explore how schools can move beyond compliance and toward deeper focus, connection, and self-management in the digital age. Here are three ideas that really stood out during our conversation: 1️⃣ From compliance to self-management: We often say we want creativity and collaboration, yet we still design systems around compliance. Patrick challenges that mismatch. The real goal isn't control. It's helping students develop self-management. 2️⃣ Leading with curiosity, not "tech panic": How we approach students about technology matters. Patrick shared a moment when his initial reaction to students gaming caused them to scatter. They sensed fear, not curiosity. His takeaway was powerful: validate the student before questioning the behavior.  3️⃣ The underrated skill of being alone with your thoughts: In a world of constant consumption, students are losing opportunities for quiet reflection. Patrick reframes what we often call "boredom" as unstructured thinking time and sees it as the kind that sparks creativity and problem-solving.  As leaders, the question becomes: What are we saying and what are students actually hearing? When our "why" aligns with students' need for autonomy and connection, we move from a culture of banning to one of thriving. 🎧 Listen to the full episode here! #AnImperfectLeader #EducationLeadership #DigitalWellness #StudentEngagement #SchoolCulture #FocusAndBelonging #SelfManagement #EdLeadership #PhoneFreeSchools -------  Follow Host Peter Stiepleman on: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-stiepleman-76004819a/ Website: https://imperfectleader.com/ YouTube (video of conversation):   https://youtu.be/VkKiXpczSEAhttps://www.youtube.com/@animperfectleaderleadershi5144/featured Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/animperfectleader/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@animperfectleader  Follow Co-host Jamie Almanzán on: Connect with APC Leadership Collaborative for support in navigating complex leadership situations: https://www.apccollab.com -------  An Imperfect Leader is sponsored by IXL. Boost learning with a platform proven to deliver results. IXL gives educators a complete K–12 curriculum and personalized learning plans that adapt to every student. Trusted by over 1 million teachers and 96 of the top 100 school districts, IXL helps schools outperform on state tests, and helps teachers focus on what matters most. IXL: Powerful data. Personalized learning. Real progress.  Discover what IXL can do for your school at IXL.com/imperfect -------  An Imperfect Leader is sponsored by Yondr.  Schools around the world are seeing the damaging effects of phones on student engagement, social development, and mental health. Yondr has developed a unique product and program to allow schools to become phone-free, from arrival to dismissal. Learn why 1 Million Students use Yondr every day. MINIMIZE DISTRACTIONS. MAXIMIZE LEARNING POTENTIAL. Go to overyondr.com to learn more.    ------    The Mosaic Project, one of our favorite organizations, has over 25 years of experience empowering students to celebrate differences, communicate assertively, and resolve conflicts peacefully at their outdoor school. Their innovative SEL curriculum is now available to An Imperfect Leader listeners at a 10% discount through their new documentary film-based Mosaic Classroom Project!  The Project's ready-to-use lesson plans include film, original music, "gametivities", and real conversations.  We're proud to partner with The Mosaic Project in helping educators build inclusive, peaceful learning communities! Just mention An Imperfect Leader during the onboarding  process to receive the 10% discount.    Learn more about The Mosaic Classroom Project. ------ Think differently. Think in systems.  Reach out to The Waters Center for Systems Thinking to learn more about how systems thinking capacity building can strengthen your team and organization.  Homepage: www.waterscenterst.org Thinking Tools Studio: https://thinkingtoolsstudio.waterscenterst.org ------ An Imperfect Leader: Leadership in (After) Action is supported by ILAA, LLC, a firm dedicated to supporting aspiring, new, and established leaders. For more information, please find them at imperfectleader.com. Music for An Imperfect Leader was written and arranged by Ian Varley. Sam Falbo created our artwork, a wood-print inspired daruma doll butterfly.

    50 min

  3. FEB 3

    The Tightrope of Leadership with Dr. Larry Cuban

    Leadership isn't about finding the perfect solution. It's about learning from the daily grind of complexity. In this week's episode of An Imperfect Leader: The Superintendents and Leadership Podcast, I had the chance to speak with Dr. Larry Cuban, former superintendent, Stanford professor, and author. A few insights that stayed with me, especially for leaders working in high-stakes environments:   1️⃣ Conflict isn't a failure, it's the work: Dr. Cuban shared that he couldn't recall a single conflict-free day as a superintendent. Leadership is a constant balancing act (boards, unions, families, and communities all pulling at once).   2️⃣ Be a "good enough" leader: Burnout often comes from chasing an ideal that doesn't exist. Dr. Cuban argues for being good enough (not mediocre), but well-matched to your context.   3️⃣ Excellence can't be mandated: Lasting improvement doesn't come from top-down pressure. It comes from tapping into the wisdom of people doing the work every day. For school leaders, that often means buffering teachers from noise so they can teach, reflect, and grow.   Leadership leaves scars. Systems resist change. And progress is rarely linear. But as Dr. Cuban reminds us, it's the effort to adapt that defines a leader's legacy. -------  Follow Host Peter Stiepleman on: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-stiepleman-76004819a/ Website: https://imperfectleader.com/ YouTube (video of conversation):   https://youtu.be/VkKiXpczSEAhttps://www.youtube.com/@animperfectleaderleadershi5144/featured Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/animperfectleader/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@animperfectleader  Follow Co-host Jamie Almanzán on: Connect with APC Leadership Collaborative for support in navigating complex leadership situations: https://www.apccollab.com -------  An Imperfect Leader is sponsored by IXL. Boost learning with a platform proven to deliver results. IXL gives educators a complete K–12 curriculum and personalized learning plans that adapt to every student. Trusted by over 1 million teachers and 96 of the top 100 school districts, IXL helps schools outperform on state tests, and helps teachers focus on what matters most. IXL: Powerful data. Personalized learning. Real progress.  Discover what IXL can do for your school at IXL.com/imperfect -------  An Imperfect Leader is sponsored by Yondr.  Schools around the world are seeing the damaging effects of phones on student engagement, social development, and mental health. Yondr has developed a unique product and program to allow schools to become phone-free, from arrival to dismissal. Learn why 1 Million Students use Yondr every day. MINIMIZE DISTRACTIONS. MAXIMIZE LEARNING POTENTIAL. Go to overyondr.com to learn more.    ------    The Mosaic Project, one of our favorite organizations, has over 25 years of experience empowering students to celebrate differences, communicate assertively, and resolve conflicts peacefully at their outdoor school. Their innovative SEL curriculum is now available to An Imperfect Leader listeners at a 10% discount through their new documentary film-based Mosaic Classroom Project!  The Project's ready-to-use lesson plans include film, original music, "gametivities", and real conversations.  We're proud to partner with The Mosaic Project in helping educators build inclusive, peaceful learning communities! Just mention An Imperfect Leader during the onboarding  process to receive the 10% discount.    Learn more about The Mosaic Classroom Project. ------ Think differently. Think in systems.  Reach out to The Waters Center for Systems Thinking to learn more about how systems thinking capacity building can strengthen your team and organization.  Homepage: www.waterscenterst.org Thinking Tools Studio: https://thinkingtoolsstudio.waterscenterst.org ------ An Imperfect Leader: Leadership in (After) Action is supported by ILAA, LLC, a firm dedicated to supporting aspiring, new, and established leaders. For more information, please find them at imperfectleader.com. Music for An Imperfect Leader was written and arranged by Ian Varley. Sam Falbo created our artwork, a wood-print inspired daruma doll butterfly.

    1h 2m

  4. JAN 27

    Matt Pitman on the Shift from Being "Heard" to Being "Held" in School Leadership

    What if the problem in our schools isn't a lack of voice, but a lack of connection? In this episode, I had the opportunity to sit down with Dr. Matt Pitman, author of The Connection Conundrum, for a conversation that challenged many of the leadership norms we've inherited, especially the idea that effective leaders must remain stoic, distant, or emotionally neutral. Matt makes a compelling case that this model is no longer serving our schools. Instead, he invites leaders to rethink community, voice, and presence; and to move from making people feel heard to making them feel truly held. Here are three insights from our conversation that every leader should wrestle with: 🎧 3 Leadership Reflections Worth Your Time 1. From "Heard" to "Held": Surveys and listening sessions are easy. Accountability is harder. Matt argues that voice only becomes authentic when leaders publicly explain how stakeholder input shaped a final decision. When people can see their fingerprints on the outcome, trust grows. 2. Lead as a Human, Not an Automaton: The era of the emotionless leader is over. Matt encourages leaders to start meetings by naming how they're actually showing up. That small act of vulnerability allows teams to "be human together" before tackling the work. 3. The 30/70 Rule of Ambition: In a powerful moment of reflection, Matt shares a lesson learned the hard way: it's fine to be 30% ambitious about what's next, but 70% of your energy must be devoted to the people you lead right now.  This conversation is a timely reminder that connection isn't soft leadership, it's sustainable leadership. ------- Follow Host Peter Stiepleman on: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-stiepleman-76004819a/ Website: https://imperfectleader.com/ YouTube (video of conversation):   https://www.youtube.com/@animperfectleaderleadershi5144/featured Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/animperfectleader/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@animperfectleader  Follow Co-host Jamie Almanzán on: Connect with APC Leadership Collaborative for support in navigating complex leadership situations: https://www.apccollab.com -------  An Imperfect Leader is sponsored by IXL. Boost learning with a platform proven to deliver results. IXL gives educators a complete K–12 curriculum and personalized learning plans that adapt to every student. Trusted by over 1 million teachers and 96 of the top 100 school districts, IXL helps schools outperform on state tests, and helps teachers focus on what matters most. IXL: Powerful data. Personalized learning. Real progress.  Discover what IXL can do for your school at IXL.com/imperfect -------  An Imperfect Leader is sponsored by Yondr.  Schools around the world are seeing the damaging effects of phones on student engagement, social development, and mental health. Yondr has developed a unique product and program to allow schools to become phone-free, from arrival to dismissal. Learn why 1 Million Students use Yondr every day. MINIMIZE DISTRACTIONS. MAXIMIZE LEARNING POTENTIAL. Go to overyondr.com to learn more.    ------    The Mosaic Project, one of our favorite organizations, has over 25 years of experience empowering students to celebrate differences, communicate assertively, and resolve conflicts peacefully at their outdoor school. Their innovative SEL curriculum is now available to An Imperfect Leader listeners at a 10% discount through their new documentary film-based Mosaic Classroom Project!  The Project's ready-to-use lesson plans include film, original music, "gametivities", and real conversations.  We're proud to partner with The Mosaic Project in helping educators build inclusive, peaceful learning communities! Just mention An Imperfect Leader during the onboarding  process to receive the 10% discount.    Learn more about The Mosaic Classroom Project. ------ Think differently. Think in systems.  Reach out to The Waters Center for Systems Thinking to learn more about how systems thinking capacity building can strengthen your team and organization.  Homepage: www.waterscenterst.org Thinking Tools Studio: https://thinkingtoolsstudio.waterscenterst.org ------ An Imperfect Leader: Leadership in (After) Action is supported by ILAA, LLC, a firm dedicated to supporting aspiring, new, and established leaders. For more information, please find them at imperfectleader.com. Music for An Imperfect Leader was written and arranged by Ian Varley. Sam Falbo created our artwork, a wood-print inspired daruma doll butterfly.

    1h 8m

  5. JAN 20

    Kaaren Andrews: If We Get Ninth Grade Right, Everything Changes

    🎙️ New Episode Alert: If We Get Ninth Grade Right, Everything Changes In this episode of An Imperfect Leader: The Superintendents and Leadership Podcast I get to talk with Kaaren Andrews, National Director of the Center for High School Success. This conversation zeroes in on why getting 9th grade right can dramatically improve graduation rates and disrupt long-standing inequities in our system.   Here are three big ideas we dig into: 1️⃣ Ninth Grade: The Strongest Predictor of Graduation: Kaaren shares a powerful (and sobering) insight: students who are "on track" in ninth grade are three to four times more likely to graduate 🎓.     2️⃣ Going Upstream: From Remediation to Prevention: Using Archbishop Desmond Tutu's river metaphor, Kaaren challenges us to stop pulling students out downstream and ask why they're falling in upstream 🌊. Instead of relying on credit recovery after failure, her work centers on proactive ninth-grade success teams where students are truly seen and known.     3️⃣ Human-Centered Leadership: Progress Over Perfection: Kaaren leads with humility and heart. Her mantra is "progress over perfection" - a reminder to leaders to be honest, reflective, and willing to say, I got this wrong 🤝.    🎧 Tune in to hear how Kaaren Andrews and the Center for High School Success are partnering with 200+ schools to change the trajectory for students who need us most.   #EducationLeadership #HighSchoolSuccess #NinthGradeMatters #EducationalEquity #AnImperfectLeader #StudentSuccess #K12Education ------- Follow Host Peter Stiepleman on: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-stiepleman-76004819a/ Website: https://imperfectleader.com/ YouTube (video of conversation):   https://www.youtube.com/@animperfectleaderleadershi5144/featured Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/animperfectleader/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@animperfectleader  Follow Co-host Jamie Almanzán on: Connect with APC Leadership Collaborative for support in navigating complex leadership situations: https://www.apccollab.com -------  An Imperfect Leader is sponsored by IXL. Boost learning with a platform proven to deliver results. IXL gives educators a complete K–12 curriculum and personalized learning plans that adapt to every student. Trusted by over 1 million teachers and 96 of the top 100 school districts, IXL helps schools outperform on state tests, and helps teachers focus on what matters most. IXL: Powerful data. Personalized learning. Real progress.  Discover what IXL can do for your school at IXL.com/imperfect -------  An Imperfect Leader is sponsored by Yondr.  Schools around the world are seeing the damaging effects of phones on student engagement, social development, and mental health. Yondr has developed a unique product and program to allow schools to become phone-free, from arrival to dismissal. Learn why 1 Million Students use Yondr every day. MINIMIZE DISTRACTIONS. MAXIMIZE LEARNING POTENTIAL. Go to overyondr.com to learn more.    ------    The Mosaic Project, one of our favorite organizations, has over 25 years of experience empowering students to celebrate differences, communicate assertively, and resolve conflicts peacefully at their outdoor school. Their innovative SEL curriculum is now available to An Imperfect Leader listeners at a 10% discount through their new documentary film-based Mosaic Classroom Project!  The Project's ready-to-use lesson plans include film, original music, "gametivities", and real conversations.  We're proud to partner with The Mosaic Project in helping educators build inclusive, peaceful learning communities! Just mention An Imperfect Leader during the onboarding  process to receive the 10% discount.    Learn more about The Mosaic Classroom Project. ------ Think differently. Think in systems.  Reach out to The Waters Center for Systems Thinking to learn more about how systems thinking capacity building can strengthen your team and organization.  Homepage: www.waterscenterst.org Thinking Tools Studio: https://thinkingtoolsstudio.waterscenterst.org ------ An Imperfect Leader: Leadership in (After) Action is supported by ILAA, LLC, a firm dedicated to supporting aspiring, new, and established leaders. For more information, please find them at imperfectleader.com. Music for An Imperfect Leader was written and arranged by Ian Varley. Sam Falbo created our artwork, a wood-print inspired daruma doll butterfly.

    58 min

  6. JAN 13

    Mandy Traylor Says Don't Move the Fences: Leading with Care and Community in Veribest ISD

    I'm excited to share the latest episode of An Imperfect Leader: The Superintendents and Leadership Podcast, featuring Mandy Traylor, Superintendent of Veribest ISD. Mandy offers a powerful look at what it means to lead with transparency, humility, and deep community trust.   A few takeaways that stayed with me 👇 🤝 Shared Vision, Real Buy-In: Through a Texas Strategic Leadership pilot, Mandy brought together the board, staff, and local businesses to define what a Veribest graduate should be. The result? A vision everyone owns because they created it together. 🎓 Preparing Students for Life: From Adulting 101 to Lady Falcon Self-Defense, Veribest ISD is equipping students with real-world skills that extend far beyond the classroom. 💛 Relational, Human-Centered Leadership: Mandy defines an imperfect leader as someone confident enough to lead—and humble enough to admit mistakes. Her guiding wisdom: "Work hard and be nice to people" and "Don't move fences until you know why they were built."   🌱 Building culture is like tending a garden—you honor what's already growing while nurturing what comes next.   🎧 Tune in to hear Mandy's Veribest approach to leadership.   #EducationLeadership #Superintendent #StudentSuccess #RelationalLeadership #TexasEducation #AnImperfectLeader ------- Follow Host Peter Stiepleman on: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-stiepleman-76004819a/ Website: https://imperfectleader.com/ YouTube (video of conversation):   https://www.youtube.com/@animperfectleaderleadershi5144/featured Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/animperfectleader/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@animperfectleader  Follow Co-host Jamie Almanzán on: Connect with APC Leadership Collaborative for support in navigating complex leadership situations: https://www.apccollab.com -------  An Imperfect Leader is sponsored by IXL. Boost learning with a platform proven to deliver results. IXL gives educators a complete K–12 curriculum and personalized learning plans that adapt to every student. Trusted by over 1 million teachers and 96 of the top 100 school districts, IXL helps schools outperform on state tests, and helps teachers focus on what matters most. IXL: Powerful data. Personalized learning. Real progress.  Discover what IXL can do for your school at IXL.com/imperfect -------  An Imperfect Leader is sponsored by Yondr.  Schools around the world are seeing the damaging effects of phones on student engagement, social development, and mental health. Yondr has developed a unique product and program to allow schools to become phone-free, from arrival to dismissal. Learn why 1 Million Students use Yondr every day. MINIMIZE DISTRACTIONS. MAXIMIZE LEARNING POTENTIAL. Go to overyondr.com to learn more.    ------   The Mosaic Project, one of our favorite organizations, has over 25 years of experience empowering students to celebrate differences, communicate assertively, and resolve conflicts peacefully at their outdoor school. Their innovative SEL curriculum is now available to An Imperfect Leader listeners at a 10% discount through their new documentary film-based Mosaic Classroom Project!  The Project's ready-to-use lesson plans include film, original music, "gametivities", and real conversations.  We're proud to partner with The Mosaic Project in helping educators build inclusive, peaceful learning communities! Just mention An Imperfect Leader during the onboarding  process to receive the 10% discount.   Learn more about The Mosaic Classroom Project. ------ Think differently. Think in systems.  Reach out to The Waters Center for Systems Thinking to learn more about how systems thinking capacity building can strengthen your team and organization.  Homepage: www.waterscenterst.org Thinking Tools Studio: https://thinkingtoolsstudio.waterscenterst.org ------ An Imperfect Leader: Leadership in (After) Action is supported by ILAA, LLC, a firm dedicated to supporting aspiring, new, and established leaders. For more information, please find them at imperfectleader.com. Music for An Imperfect Leader was written and arranged by Ian Varley. Sam Falbo created our artwork, a wood-print inspired daruma doll butterfly.

    57 min

  7. JAN 6

    Elena Aguilar on Why Presence Is a Leader's Greatest Gift

    Are you leading from a place of fixing… or from a place of presence? 🌱   In the latest episode of An Imperfect Leader: The Superintendents and Leadership Podcast, I had the honor of sitting down with Elena Aguilar, the visionary behind Transformational Coaching and author of eight bestselling books, including The Art of Coaching and Arise. 📚✨   Leadership can be a lonely journey. We're often expected to have the answers, solve the problems, and move fast. But Elena reminds us that real transformation doesn't come from quick fixes—it comes from going deeper and tending to the roots. 🌳   Here are four powerful takeaways from our conversation: 🔹 Prioritize Internal Healing: Your internal state shapes everything around you. As Elena shared, "What you can do of greatest benefit to the world is attend to your own healing."   🔹 Focus on Your Sphere of Control: When external pressures feel overwhelming, resilience is built by going deeper into what you can influence. 🎯   🔹 Presence Is the Greatest Gift: So many leaders default to "fix-it mode." But the most impactful thing you can offer is being fully present with the people you serve. 🤍   🔹 Embrace Your Imperfection: Perfection is, in Elena's words, "absurd and unattainable." Authentic leadership lives in humility, honesty, and being human.   As Elena beautifully said during the episode:   "The biggest gift you can give is to be absolutely present… The main thing is that you're showing up, that you're here."   🎧 Listen to the full episode to explore how moving beyond compliance and leading from the heart can change both you and the communities you serve. ------- Follow Host Peter Stiepleman on: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-stiepleman-76004819a/ Website: https://imperfectleader.com/ YouTube (video of conversation):   https://www.youtube.com/@animperfectleaderleadershi5144/featured Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/animperfectleader/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@animperfectleader  Follow Co-host Jamie Almanzán on: Connect with APC Leadership Collaborative for support in navigating complex leadership situations: https://www.apccollab.com -------  An Imperfect Leader is sponsored by IXL. Boost learning with a platform proven to deliver results. IXL gives educators a complete K–12 curriculum and personalized learning plans that adapt to every student. Trusted by over 1 million teachers and 96 of the top 100 school districts, IXL helps schools outperform on state tests, and helps teachers focus on what matters most. IXL: Powerful data. Personalized learning. Real progress.  Discover what IXL can do for your school at IXL.com/imperfect -------  An Imperfect Leader is sponsored by Yondr.  Schools around the world are seeing the damaging effects of phones on student engagement, social development, and mental health. Yondr has developed a unique product and program to allow schools to become phone-free, from arrival to dismissal. Learn why 1 Million Students use Yondr every day. MINIMIZE DISTRACTIONS. MAXIMIZE LEARNING POTENTIAL. Go to overyondr.com to learn more.    ------   The Mosaic Project, one of our favorite organizations, has over 25 years of experience empowering students to celebrate differences, communicate assertively, and resolve conflicts peacefully at their outdoor school. Their innovative SEL curriculum is now available to An Imperfect Leader listeners at a 10% discount through their new documentary film-based Mosaic Classroom Project!  The Project's ready-to-use lesson plans include film, original music, "gametivities", and real conversations.  We're proud to partner with The Mosaic Project in helping educators build inclusive, peaceful learning communities! Just mention An Imperfect Leader during the onboarding  process to receive the 10% discount.   Learn more about The Mosaic Classroom Project. ------ Think differently. Think in systems.  Reach out to The Waters Center for Systems Thinking to learn more about how systems thinking capacity building can strengthen your team and organization.  Homepage: www.waterscenterst.org Thinking Tools Studio: https://thinkingtoolsstudio.waterscenterst.org ------ An Imperfect Leader: Leadership in (After) Action is supported by ILAA, LLC, a firm dedicated to supporting aspiring, new, and established leaders. For more information, please find them at imperfectleader.com. Music for An Imperfect Leader was written and arranged by Ian Varley. Sam Falbo created our artwork, a wood-print inspired daruma doll butterfly.

    58 min

  8. 12/30/2025

    Dr. Bryan Luizzi: When Leadership Doesn't Go as Planned (Remastered)

    The latest episode of An Imperfect Leader features Dr. Bryan Luizzi, Superintendent of New Canaan Public Schools, and it's a powerful reminder that leadership is less about having the answers and more about having the courage to step forward.   From Connecticut classrooms to teaching and leading in Jordan, Bryan and I explore what it means to lead people in moments of uncertainty and change.   🎧 Three leadership themes to listen for: 1. Leading with "Yes" (and Courage, Not Recklessness): Bryan shares how a "lead with yes" mindset shaped his career and opened doors to unexpected opportunities.   2. Balancing Stewardship and Innovation: Great leaders honor what works while still pushing forward. Bryan tells the story of New Canaan's transformation of a 1970s planetarium into The Dome, an immersive learning space where students create, not just consume.   3.Why Imperfection Matters: Perfection freezes leaders. Excellence invites learning. Bryan reflects on a major leadership misstep after returning from Finland and the hard lesson of confusing a technical fix with adaptive change.   👂 What leaders should listen closely for: • A good idea, poorly implemented, is a bad idea. • Why real leadership means involving people with you, not deciding for them. • How authenticity and truth-telling rebuild trust after failure.   This episode is an honest look at learning in public and leading with humility and heart.   🎙️ Listen now and reflect on what it means to lead imperfectly. ------- Follow Host Peter Stiepleman on: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-stiepleman-76004819a/ Website: https://imperfectleader.com/ YouTube (video of conversation):   https://www.youtube.com/@animperfectleaderleadershi5144/featured Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/animperfectleader/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@animperfectleader  Follow Co-host Jamie Almanzán on: Connect with APC Leadership Collaborative for support in navigating complex leadership situations: https://www.apccollab.com -------  An Imperfect Leader is sponsored by IXL. Boost learning with a platform proven to deliver results. IXL gives educators a complete K–12 curriculum and personalized learning plans that adapt to every student. Trusted by over 1 million teachers and 96 of the top 100 school districts, IXL helps schools outperform on state tests, and helps teachers focus on what matters most. IXL: Powerful data. Personalized learning. Real progress.  Discover what IXL can do for your school at IXL.com/imperfect -------  An Imperfect Leader is sponsored by Yondr.  Schools around the world are seeing the damaging effects of phones on student engagement, social development, and mental health. Yondr has developed a unique product and program to allow schools to become phone-free, from arrival to dismissal. Learn why 1 Million Students use Yondr every day. MINIMIZE DISTRACTIONS. MAXIMIZE LEARNING POTENTIAL. Go to overyondr.com to learn more.    ------   The Mosaic Project, one of our favorite organizations, has over 25 years of experience empowering students to celebrate differences, communicate assertively, and resolve conflicts peacefully at their outdoor school. Their innovative SEL curriculum is now available to An Imperfect Leader listeners at a 10% discount through their new documentary film-based Mosaic Classroom Project!  The Project's ready-to-use lesson plans include film, original music, "gametivities", and real conversations.  We're proud to partner with The Mosaic Project in helping educators build inclusive, peaceful learning communities! Just mention An Imperfect Leader during the onboarding  process to receive the 10% discount.   Learn more about The Mosaic Classroom Project. ------ Think differently. Think in systems.  Reach out to The Waters Center for Systems Thinking to learn more about how systems thinking capacity building can strengthen your team and organization.  Homepage: www.waterscenterst.org Thinking Tools Studio: https://thinkingtoolsstudio.waterscenterst.org ------ An Imperfect Leader: Leadership in (After) Action is supported by ILAA, LLC, a firm dedicated to supporting aspiring, new, and established leaders. For more information, please find them at imperfectleader.com. Music for An Imperfect Leader was written and arranged by Ian Varley. Sam Falbo created our artwork, a wood-print inspired daruma doll butterfly.

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About

Welcome to An Imperfect Leader: The Superintendents and Leadership Podcast, a series of conversations with leaders who look back at decisions they made and consider: * What happened? * What got overlooked? * What did they learn about relationships or what new relationships were formed? * What frustrated them? * What could they have done differently? * And in the end, what was something good that came out of their experience – because it is through one's mistakes where the greatest learning takes place. I'm Peter Stiepleman. I'm your host AND I'm an imperfect leader. I spent more than 20 years teaching and leading, first in the Oakland Public Schools in Oakland, CA and then in the Midwest – Missouri, to be exact – where I was a teacher, a principal, an assistant superintendent and the superintendent of the 4th largest school district in a state of more than 500 districts. I am constantly striving to learn from my experiences and from the experiences of other leaders. The aim of this podcast is to lift the learning and lift the imperfect leaders up. That way, when you hear the term imperfect, you'll see strength, strength from the candor needed to recognize imperfection as a real advantage.

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