15 episodes
Principal Pep Talks Sage B. Hobbs
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- Education
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5.0 • 8 Ratings
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Listen to feel inspired, validated, and appreciated in under 10 minutes.
With wisdom, candor and humor, Sage B. Hobbs shares real stories from more than 20 years in education, coupled with current research and tools that you can actually use to improve your practice (and your happiness). Sage is an executive coach for school principals (and other do-good leaders), a retired school counselor, keynote speaker, author and facilitator. She’s an expert in communication and emotional intelligence, who leans into challenging topics and advocates for equity in education and beyond. As a lifelong educator, married to a lifelong educator, raising kids - this show is a big THANK YOU to tireless educators everywhere.
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EP 15 “Reminder: Your Job Is Not Your Life” Pep Talk
“You will like your job more, and have more happiness in your life, if your life is bigger than your work.” - Sage
In the concluding episode of our 15-part series, we delve into the theme of crafting an identity beyond our professional roles.
I share insights from my own journey, transitioning from a decade-long career in school counseling, and the profound self-discoveries that came with it. To wrap up, I offer a reflective exercise designed to encourage you to contemplate your identity beyond work.
Key takeaways from today’s Pep Talk:
Exploring the deep connection between our jobs and our sense of self
Lessons learned from my personal shift in career paths and the impact on my identity
A final, thought-provoking exercise to inspire and empower you
Connect and find more resources:
The Principal Leadership Program
Executive Coaching, Training & Facilitation
Speaking
Let’s connect on LinkedIn!
Love the show? Please tell all your colleagues about it! And rate it and review it on Apple Podcasts. Just a few short words really helps folks to find the show. Thank you :)
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EP 14 “Your Communication Can Be a Superpower or a Toxin” Pep Talk
“People are messy. Human beings are complicated. We're big balls of feelings and reactivity. So communication is really hard, it's nuanced. It has subtlety, it has artistry. But it also has skills that can be learned.” - Sage
In this episode, we delve into the essence of communication and the art of doing it effectively. I share the tenets of the Communication for Connection framework so you can have a tangible tool to implement in your crucial roles.
Key takeaways from today’s Pep Talk:
What it means to communicate for connection
5 key components of this powerful framework
Why compassion is both critical and challenging
Connect and find more resources:
The Principal Leadership Program
Executive Coaching, Training & Facilitation
Speaking
My Book: Naked Communication
Let’s connect on LinkedIn!
Love the show? Please tell all your colleagues about it! And rate it and review it on Apple Podcasts. Just a few short words really helps folks to find the show. Thank you :)
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EP 13 "This Job Is Impossible!" Pep Talk
“Yes, you have to attend to this crazy job and all that comes up. But, how you attend to all the things matters.” - Sage
In this episode, we look at what we can do to counter the endless things that get thrown at you as a principal. I emphasize the critical nature of HOW you tackle your various responsibilities and obstacles and why it’s essential to deliberately make time to embrace and appreciate the joy inherent in your role.
Key takeaways from today’s Pep Talk:
The importance of HOW you address everything on your plate
Cultivating your emotional intelligence skills
Carving out time for the joy in your job
Connect and find more resources:
The Principal Leadership Program
Executive Coaching, Training & Facilitation
Speaking
Let’s connect on LinkedIn!
Love the show? Please tell all your colleagues about it! And rate it and review it on Apple Podcasts. Just a few short words really helps folks to find the show. Thank you :)
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EP 12 "Leading Schools in Politically Charged Times" Pep Talk
“I've heard again and again [leaders] wondering how to manage supervising school events if it becomes legal for parents to carry guns to these events. Again, there's no training on this.” - Sage
In this episode, I highlight the pressures of polarizing cultural events using a real example of a principal who navigated the controversy of a Black Lives Matter poster in a teacher's classroom. As we touch upon modern dilemmas faced by educators, I remind you that school leaders are tasked with dealing with WAY more than most graduate programs provide in terms of conflict resolution and de-escalation. AND, despite that, you've still got what it takes!
Key takeaways from today’s Pep Talk:
The complex challenges of modern education
The pressure for school leaders to maintain a productive learning environment despite unprecedented political circumstances
How to navigate real time challenges when politics and strong beliefs enter the school culture
Connect and find more resources:
The Principal Leadership Program
Executive Coaching, Training & Facilitation
Speaking
Let’s connect on LinkedIn!
Love the show? Please tell all your friends and colleagues about it! And rate it and review it on Apple Podcasts. Just a few short words really helps folks to find the show. Thank you :)
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EP 11 "I'm Drowning and Overwhelmed!" Pep Talk
“...If you really were in danger and facing down a lion, you would be breathing heavily, probably out of your mouth. So, when we breathe deeply through our nose, we can automatically send a message to our body that we’re safe. We're okay.” - Sage
In this episode we talk about what you can do right now to mitigate feeling like you're drowning in your job. I give three “nuggets” to try in your day- to-day and, as always, leave you with a reminder of how ridiculously important the work you do is!
Key takeaways from today’s Pep Talk:
We reiterate the importance of breathing from episode three “Peeing Meditation.”
Being resourced. When you feel like you're in over your head, who or what could help?
The four D’s of productivity and seeing what's most urgent in a situation.
Connect and find more resources:
The Principal Leadership Program
Executive Coaching, Training & Facilitation
Speaking
Let’s connect on LinkedIn!
Love the show? Please tell all your friends and colleagues about it! And rate and review it on Apple Podcasts. Just a few short words really helps folks to find the show. Thank you :)
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Episode 10 "Non-Defensiveness: The 3rd Thing that Will Improve Your Leadership" Pep Talk
“Often folks just need to be heard, and oftentimes it's not about you or something you did wrong, or even something that's inside of your control.” - Sage
In episodes 7 and 9 I talked about the first two themes I’ve noticed that will improve your ability to lead well. Today, we're tackling the third theme… and it’s a tricky one. Our focus is on non-defensiveness—mastering the art of receiving feedback without taking it personally.
Key takeaways from today’s Pep Talk:
Being a “punching bag” for angry parents.
How do you, as a leader, handle input?
How do you give input?
What if the feedback you are receiving is actually more of an attack?
Connect and find more resources:
The Principal Leadership Program
Executive Coaching, Training & Facilitation
Speaking
Let’s connect on LinkedIn!
Love the show? Please tell all your friends and colleagues about it! And rate it and review it on Apple Podcasts. Just a few short words really helps folks to find the show. Thank you :)
Customer Reviews
For Leaders Ready to Lean In
Not only is this ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for principals, it’s a leadership listen for anyone looking for practical, applicable ideas and actions.
Every episode is engaging and provides actionable steps to improve practice and thinking.
If you’re looking to grow, be inspired or motivated, take a listen and follow!
Inspiration every principal needs
Sage’s upbeat, honest and straightforward style offers quick motivation and insightful remarks for school leaders when they need it most. Sage has a beautiful way of uplifting hard topics and bringing them out into the light. Principal Pep Talks offers a little something for anyone in education who values and appreciates the hard work our school leaders put in every day.
Real time support for principals
Principal Pep Talks are immediately accessible and supportive. Short enough to fit into my busy day and always makes me feel understood and supported. Last week, I took a few minutes to listen during my work day and was able to use the strategy in the moment. I took a few deep breaths and got reconnected with what keeps me in this work. I even got out of my office for a few minutes following Sage’s invitation to do so! I will continue to come back to these to help me stay grounded, inspired, and supported in the midst of work that becomes ever more complex.