Before writing this blog post, I spent two hours writing an update for the IU8 Board of Directors. Those two hours were followed by another hour of planning what I wanted to say. As I write this, I am unsure how the update “went over” with the Board, but I hope it was insightful. The update took so long to write because the last week in education has been somewhat chaotic. Executive Orders, funding freezes, and other drama are impacting our school systems.
If you’ve been leading schools long enough, you know this truth: Chaos is inevitable. Whether it’s an unexpected staffing crisis, a community controversy, or a logistical nightmare that throws the entire week off track, disruption is part of the job.
And yet, in the middle of the storm, the best leaders do something counterintuitive. They step back and think—not just about the immediate fire, but about the bigger picture and the seemingly small but nagging issues that, if left unaddressed, turn into tomorrow’s crises.
Here’s why taking time to think—especially in chaos—isn’t a luxury. It’s a discipline every school leader must develop:
1. Reactionary Leadership is a Trap. Slow Down to Make Better Decisions
When chaos hits, it’s easy to fall into reactive mode, making impulsive decisions that solve short-term issues but create long-term problems. Intentional thinking time allows school leaders to pause, assess, and make strategic, informed decisions rather than knee-jerk reactions. This prevents a cycle of crisis management and builds stability.2. Big problems Hide in Small Patterns. Pay Attention and Zoom Out
The challenge in front of you may feel massive, but its roots are often buried in overlooked details. That tension between departments? It started as a minor misalignment. That culture shift you can’t seem to make happen? It’s buried in daily routines. Thinking time lets you zoom out and find the patterns before they become crises.
3. Be calm, Lead With Stability
Your staff, students, and community watch how you respond to chaos. If you’re constantly running from fire to fire, they will too. But when you model composed, thoughtful leadership, it creates confidence—both in your ability to lead and in the system as a whole. People need to see that you’re not just reacting; you’re guiding.
As we navigate the upcoming months in public education, remember to take time and think!
