Standing Tall: Voices in Leadership

In this special season finale, we revisit the most powerful insights, quotes, and lessons shared by the incredible leaders who joined us on Season 1 of Standing Tall. From mindset shifts to moments of courage, this highlight reel captures the heart of what it means to lead with purpose, authenticity, and vision. Whether you’re listening again or catching up for the first time, these are the takeaways worth holding onto.

In this special episode, we sit down with Superintendent Randy Lindquist and his father, former superintendent Larry Lindquist, for a heartfelt conversation about leadership, legacy, and the evolution of education. Spanning decades of public service, this father-son dialogue offers a glimpse into how the role of a school leader has changed—and what’s remained timeless. From the challenges of leading in different eras to the values that endure across generations, this episode celebrates commitment, adaptation, and the lasting impact of those who dedicate their lives to public education. Whether you’re a veteran educator, an aspiring leader, or someone who just loves a good story, this is a conversation that will leave you inspired to lead with purpose—and maybe even call your dad. 

In this episode, you’ll learn: Why you should never “skip the ending”How temporal landmarks influence memory and motivation (Daniel Pink – When)How to build unforgettable peak moments (Chip & Dan Heath – The Power of Moments)Why gratitude rewires your brain for better outcomes (Chase Mielke – The Burnout Cure)The impact of crystal-clear vision on team resilience (the story of Hiroo Onoda)How to help every team member feel connected to the mission (feat. JFK & the janitor who was “putting a man on the moon”)Key Quotes:“You can never problem-solve your way to a memorable experience—you have to build peaks.” – Chip Heath“When I look for X, I notice less Y.” – Chase Mielke"Pay particular attention to the start and ending" =Daniel Pink Whether you’re closing out the school year or wrapping up a major project, this episode reminds you that how you finish matters. Don’t coast—kick into that final gear. 🎧 Listen, reflect, and keep standing tall.

Guest: Dr. Debbie McFalone, Leadership Facilitator, Author, and Founder of Live Well, Lead StrongKey Topics Covered:Leadership Journey: Debbie shares pivotal moments from her career as a teacher, principal, superintendent, and now a full-time coach and consultant.Core Values in Leadership: Learn why courage and integrity are non-negotiables in effective school leadership, and how to align your actions with your beliefs.Mindful Leadership: Discover how self-awareness fuels trustworthiness and informed decision-making.The Power of Reflection & a Personal Board of Directors: Debbie encourages leaders to reflect on their formation and to surround themselves with trusted thought partners.Her Book – Meeting the Moment: Debbie introduces ideas from her latest book focused on leading with conviction and practical strategies for navigating challenging times. Explore her publications.Creating Brave Cultures: Understand the connection between trust, vulnerability, and student success—and how brave conversations can elevate a school’s culture.Leadership Development Work in Michigan: Hear about her work with principals across Muskegon County and the impact of empowering people, building strong cultures, and optimizing systems.Future of Education: Debbie reflects on the changing landscape of education and the importance of flexibility, relevance, and transferable skills.Rapid Fire Fun: Get to know Debbie with a fun round of questions—from her guilty pleasure TV show to whether a hot dog counts as a sandwich.🔗 Helpful Links:Learn more about Debbie: Live Well, Lead Strong – About DebbieDebbie’s new book: Meeting the MomentExplore leadership coaching and workshops: Live Well, Lead Strong Services  

 Topics Discussed:• Transitioning from counselor to administrator• Building school culture through daily interactions and hiring• The importance of belonging—for students, staff, and families• The role of national networks in educational leadership• “Happy chickens lay eggs”—why staff wellness matters• Patrick Lencioni’s Hungry, Humble, Smart hiring model• Why instructional leadership begins with clarity: What are we teaching? How are we teaching it?• Work-life alignment and the glass vs. plastic ball metaphor

Big Takeaways:• Radical Redesign Over Tinkering:Real educational transformation requires rethinking school design from the ground up—not just tweaking existing models.• Student-Centered, Real-World Learning:Students should work on their world problems, not just “real world” problems, to make learning personally relevant and motivating.• Flexible, Project-Based High School Models:Purdue Polytechnic High School eliminated rigid schedules, prioritized projects, and created adaptable physical spaces that foster engagement.• Strong Relationships Drive Outcomes:Deep connections between staff and students are foundational to academic and personal success.• Equity in Design:Low-income students deserve high-quality environments and opportunities. Design matters—physically, academically, and emotionally.• Micro Schools as Innovation Hubs:Smaller, more nimble schools allow for quicker innovation, personalized learning, and new approaches like work-based learning.• New Indiana Diploma Framework:The redesigned diploma provides flexibility, student choice, and real-world relevance—including “seals” for employment, enrollment, and enlistment readiness.• Learning Beyond the Classroom:Experiences like internships, speech teams, and leadership roles can count for academic credit under the new diploma model.• Policy as a Lever for Innovation:Changing state policy to make innovation the new norm helps reduce risk for districts and accelerates systemic change.• The Evolving Role of Educators:Teachers must shift from content delivery to equipping students with durable, transferable skills like communication, adaptability, and collaboration.• Leadership that Embraces Vision and Change:Effective school leaders balance vision with empathy, manage change, and support others in taking bold steps toward transformation.

Key Takeaways:• Authentic Leadership: Discover the significance of leading with authenticity and how it fosters trust within educational communities.• Navigating Financial Challenges: Learn strategies for making compassionate decisions during financial constraints.• Fostering Collaboration: Understand the importance of uniting diverse school districts under a shared vision.• Preparing for the Future: Explore methods to equip students for careers that don’t yet exist.• Mentorship and Legacy: Reflect on the role of mentorship in shaping a lasting leadership legacy. Resources Mentioned:• Dr. Nick Ceglarek’s profile on Northwest Education Services• Dr. Nick Ceglarek on LinkedIn• Dr. Nick Ceglarek on X (formerly Twitter)• Grand Valley State University’s feature on Dr. Nicholas Ceglarek 

What You'll Learn:The importance of servant leadership and why putting others first builds lasting trust.Strategies for effective community engagement and transparent communication.Practical tips on achieving intentional work-life balance as an educational leader.Insights on integrating technology, including AI, to enhance student learning and teacher-student relationships.The value of career-focused education initiatives and their role in preparing students for life after high school.Featured Quotes:"Leadership always has to come from a heart of service—it's always about everybody else.""You can't just tell people to take care of themselves. It has to be intentional.""Tightening the safety net means creating systems where no student falls through the cracks."Key Takeaways:Strong relationships and consistent, positive communication build lasting trust.Work-life balance requires intentional planning and boundaries.Effective technology use in schools enhances—not replaces—teacher-student connections.Transferable skills, like teamwork and critical thinking, are crucial for students' future success.Guest Bio:Dr. Adam Bayne is the Superintendent of Holton Public Schools, dedicated to student success, community engagement, and innovative education. A Holton graduate himself, Dr. Bayne's commitment drives his collaborative leadership style.

Episode NotesGuestDr. Jeffrey CollierMichigan’s 2024 Superintendent of the YearLearn more about the award at gomasa.orgEpisode SummaryJoin us as Dr. Collier reveals how focusing on systems over goals can help you build unstoppable momentum, all through the lens of three powerful words: Serve. Innovate. Empower. Discover how these principles can reshape your leadership approach and your organization’s future. Plus, learn how spotlighting everyday wins can transform staff morale and community perception in remarkable ways.Key Topics & TakeawaysSystems vs. GoalsDr. Collier highlights how “we do not rise to the level of our goals, we fall to the level of our systems.”Emphasizes building structures and processes that consistently yield success.Serve. Innovate. Empower.Three simple words that act as the guiding mission for Saginaw ISD.How clear, concise vision statements can unite and focus an entire organization.The “Our Story” InitiativeA daily storytelling platform that showcases positive wins in education.Improves staff morale and strengthens community perception by highlighting small, everyday moments of success.Early Childhood InnovationCollaboration with Central Michigan University to reimagine preschool facilities and curriculum.Introducing “Green STEM Overlays,” community gardens, and onsite medical clinics to support whole-child development.Positivity & Leadership MindsetWhy choosing optimism and maintaining work-life balance can enrich leadership.Strategies for leaders to stay motivated and encourage vulnerability in themselves and their teams.Family, Mentorship, and Personal PassionsDr. Collier’s personal rules at home: “Be the kindest person in the room” and “Never get outworked.”The value of mentorship: providing support and active listening rather than just solutions.Mentioned Resources & LinksSaginaw Intermediate School District (Saginaw ISD)https://www.sisd.ccExplore the district’s mission and wide-ranging educational programs.Our Story InitiativeFollow Saginaw ISD’s Our Story Initiative here or on any of their social media channels!Saginaw ISD on FacebookSaginaw ISD on TwitterJames Clear’s “Atomic Habits”https://jamesclear.com/atomic-habitsDr. Collier references the concept of incremental gains (1% better every day) and the power of habits in personal and organizational growth.Saginaw Public School Districthttps://www.spsd.netPartner in innovative early childhood programs and community-focused initiatives.Central Michigan Universityhttps://www.cmich.eduCollaborates with Saginaw ISD for curriculum development and teacher training.About the PodcastStanding Tall: Voices in LeadershipHear in-depth conversations with forward-thinking leaders who are making a real difference in education. Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform for more inspiring stories and actionable insights.Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, consider sharing it with a colleague or friend who might find it valuable.

As the Vice President of Strategy and Innovation at Getting Smart, Nate has dedicated his career to helping schools rethink education to better serve students. In this conversation, Nate shares insights on:• The importance of place-based, project-based, and problem-based learning.• Why ‘soft skills’ should be reframed as ‘durable skills.’• How technology and AI can support teachers in creating more meaningful learning experiences.• The role of leadership in fostering an innovative school culture.Key Takeaways1. The Power of Place-Based Learning• Connecting learning to the local environment enhances student engagement and fosters a sense of belonging.• When students understand their communities, they’re more likely to contribute to them as adults.• Schools should integrate real-world learning opportunities into the curriculum. 2. Durable Skills: A New Way to Think About Learning• Traditional academic subjects are important, but collaboration, creativity, and leadership are the real drivers of success.• Calling them “soft skills” minimizes their importance—durable skills persist across industries and careers.• Schools should find ways to assess and credential these skills beyond traditional transcripts. 3. Moving From Compliance to Agency• Education systems often prioritize compliance (standardized tests, rigid curriculums) over student agency.• Empowering students to take ownership of their learning leads to deeper understanding and long-term retention.• School leaders should also foster agency in teachers by encouraging experimentation and innovation. 4. The Role of AI and Technology in the Future of Learning• AI can handle time-consuming planning tasks, giving teachers more time for hands-on learning experiences.• With AI managing lesson planning, educators can focus on field trips, projects, and deeper student interactions.• While content knowledge is essential, technology makes it easier to access, making durable skills even more critical. 5. Leadership Strategies for Innovation• Successful school leaders need high emotional intelligence, trust-building skills, and a willingness to adapt.• Leaders should create “innovation teams” to test new learning models before rolling them out widely.• Schools should invest in Research & Development (R&D) for education, just like businesses do. Resources Mentioned• The Power of Place by Nate McLennan, Emily Leptag, and Tom Vander Ark• Getting Smart’s work on future-focused education strategies• Future Learning Council