Two Leadership Habits to Help Educators Finish the Year Strong – Empowered Educator

Fear is natural. It’s designed to protect us. But when it takes over, it clouds our thinking. We hesitate. We overestimate risks. We lose the ability to make clear, grounded decisions.

Part 1: Build Trust in 10 Seconds Or Less

As we head into the final stretch of the school year, that fear can creep in alongside uncertainty. Budgets are tight. Goals feel unfinished. Life outside of work is pulling at us too. And let’s not forget that every team member brings personal stressors into the building each day. Uncertainty doesn’t just feel uncomfortable; it can feel like free fall.

Change is constant in our work. The real question is: how do we respond to it?

Here’s one small, powerful habit: the CHECK-IN PAUSE. 

The next time you are in conversation with a team member, try asking this:

Listen with no need to do anything with it unless you decide to, and follow up by saying, “Thank you for telling me.”

Leader Reflection:

This simple question creates space for honesty, empathy, and connection. It reminds us that we’re human, not just task-doers. And when people feel seen, they show up more strongly.

As leaders, we set the tone. 

Let’s normalize these quick check-ins, especially during messy and uncertain times. They help us move forward with each other with more trust and confidence.

Part 2: A Meeting Habit to Keep Chaos off Your Plate

I wish someone had told me this when I was a principal, juggling ALL the things.

End-of-year achievements, field days, family events, keeping the building and students safe, and somehow planning for next year? Whew. Just thinking about it gives me flashbacks and a fluttery pit in my stomach.

If you're in that season now, I see you. It’s a lot.

One thing I wish I’d figured out sooner is how to make cleaner agreements at the end of meetings.

It's not fancy but it’s absolutely game-changing. Because without them, stuff slipped. People didn’t show up where they were supposed to and event details got dropped. And everything somehow landed back on my plate.

So, what’s a clean agreement? 

1. Make the agreement: Be crystal clear on who’s doing what, when, and where. Write it down and share it.
2. Keep the agreement: Do the thing you said you would do.
3. Own it when you miss: Life happens. Apologize, discuss, and revise.
4. Start your next meeting here: “Here’s what we said we’d do. What’s the update?” Boom! A little bit of accountability without the awkward.

Simple. Huge Impact.

Leader Call to Action:

Say what you will do.

Do what you said.

Own it if you didn’t.

Check in, so it sticks.

You've got enough going on, so let agreements be one less thing you have to chase.

Cheers to leading a calmer end-of-year chaos!