Control+Shift+Lead is a podcast about leadership in education—for every educator, not just those with a title. Whether you’re leading a classroom, a school, or an entire district, leadership today means navigating constant change with clarity, intention, and agency. This show explores what it really takes to lead in modern education—from instructional leadership and school culture to decision-making, innovation, and personal growth. Each episode features practical insights, real stories, and honest conversations with educators who are leading from where they are. Because in today’s schools, leadership isn’t a position—it’s a mindset. If you’re a teacher, instructional coach, administrator, or aspiring leader looking to grow your impact, Control+Shift+Lead is your space. Hosted by Jim Wichman and Adam Busch, this show dives into the real-world complexities of K-12 education. From the exhaustion of the first week of school to the high-level shifts required to integrate AI into your practice, Jim and Adam offer practical blueprints for resetting expectations, building culture, and staying "mentally present" for your students and colleagues. What We Explore: Taking Control: How to stop reacting to the chaos and start defining the future of your learning environment. Driving the Shift: Shifting mindsets from traditional management to true mentorship, community building, and personal agency. Leading with Presence: Strategies for boosting morale, supporting your peers, and recognizing the "whole child" in every student. Whether you are a seasoned principal, an aspiring administrator, or a teacher leading from the front lines, Control+Shift+Lead provides the weekly boost you need to finish the year strong and lead your community forward. Part of the ForwardEd Network: Advancing Voices, Shaping Education. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/control-shift-lead-the-education-leadership-podcast--7112587/support .
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Control+Shift+Lead: The Education Leadership Podcast is a education podcast hosted by Unknown Host, with 17 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.
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Unknown Host hosts Control+Shift+Lead: The Education Leadership Podcast, a education show with 17 episodes published.
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Episode #8
Leadership Isn't Built on One Big Moment Lessons From Season 2
Aug 1, 202655 minS2
Great leadership is rarely built in one massive moment. It is built through the choices leaders make every day—the conversations they have, the environments they create, the questions they ask, and the way they show up for the people around them. In this Season 2 finale of Control Shift Lead, Jim Wichman and Adam Busch look back at some of their favorite conversations from the season and reflect on the common threads that emerged along the way. From being fully present and creating intentional environments to challenging long-held assumptions about grading, culture, and professional growth, these conversations offer a reminder that meaningful leadership often happens in the small moments. Jim and Adam also explore the difference between evaluating for compliance and coaching for growth—and why strong leaders remain willing to question the systems and practices they have inherited. ’ : • Why leadership is built through the accumulation of everyday moments • What it means to “be where your feet are” as a leader • How hospitality, language, and shared experiences shape school culture • Why leaders need to continually question assumptions about teaching and learning • The difference between a “gotcha” approach and coaching for genuine growth • Why none of us has to do this work alone : Bob Long — Retired Special Education Teacher & Coach, Muscatine Schools Dr. Chad Lang — Educational Leader & Author Jim Dutro — Principal, Lake Ridge Middle School Dr. Rachel Edoho-Eket — School Principal & Author Dr. Jill Urich & Dr. Jeremy Braden — Educational Leaders Dr. Matt Townsley — Assistant Professor & Educational Author Kanika Dorsey — School Principal As Season 2 comes to a close, this episode brings together some of the ideas that have challenged our thinking, shaped our conversations, and reminded us why leadership is less about finding the perfect answer and more about being intentional in the moments we are given. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/control-shift-lead-the-education-leadership-podcast--7112587/support . Thank You for Listening! This has been an episode from The FowardED Network — Where we are Advancing Voices and Shaping Education. We are dedicated to supporting everyone invested in K-12 success: teachers, leaders, parents, and community advocates. Want to keep the conversation going? Subscribe: Never miss an insight. Hit the subscribe or follow button on your podcast app to automatically receive our next episode. Share the Knowledge: If this episode provided value, please take a moment to rate and review us! Your five-star reviews help new teachers, parents, and leaders find our network. Explore the Network: This show is just one part of the ForwardEd Network family. Head over to our network page to explore our full roster of interconnected podcasts, including CTRL Shift Lead , Vice Principal UnOfficed , From Carpool to College , and Your Morning Boost . Connect with Us: Have a question or an idea for a future episode? Reach out to us at admin@forwardednetwork.com or find us on social media using the tag #theForwardEDnetwork. Ready for your next boost? Browse our catalog and discover your next great listen on The ForwardED Network. This episode includes AI-generated content.
The Anatomy of School Trust with Dr. Rachel Edoho-Eket
Jul 1, 202642 minS2
Is your school culture defined by your mission statement or your daily actions? In this conversation, Jim, Adam, and Dr. Rachel Edoho-Eket explore the complex and essential role of trust in school improvement. Together we examine how small, consistent acts build a dependable leadership presence and why unpredictable behavior quickly destabilizes a building environment.We sit down with Dr. Rachel Edoho-Eket to unpack the difficult realities of breaking and regaining trust with staff and families. We discuss the power of professional apologies, why leaders must respect individual timelines when mending professional relationships, and how to practicalize visibility without turning it into a compliance checklist.Finally, we explore actionable strategies for the upcoming school year, including normalizing two-way feedback and shifting your leadership lens through intentional gratitude walks that elevate building morale. What You’ll Hear: How small, consistent daily acts tip the culture scale toward trust The process of reclaiming trust after a leadership error and why ego gets in the way. Why giving staff space and honoring their timeline is critical for long-term reconciliation. Three practical leadership shifts: active physical presence, two-way feedback, and gratitude walks. Guest Information: Dr. Rachel Edoho-Eket — Elementary Principal / Author Website: https://www.racheledohoeket.com https://sites.google.com/view/the-principals-journey-website/home Social: @racheledohoeket Thank You for Listening! This has been an episode from The FowardED Network — Where we are Advancing Voices and Shaping Education. We are dedicated to supporting everyone invested in K-12 success: teachers, leaders, parents, and community advocates. Want to keep the conversation going? Subscribe: Never miss an insight. Hit the subscribe or follow button on your podcast app to automatically receive our next episode. Share the Knowledge: If this episode provided value, please take a moment to rate and review us! Your five-star reviews help new teachers, parents, and leaders find our network. Explore the Network: This show is just one part of the ForwardEd Network family. Head over to our network page to explore our full roster of interconnected podcasts, including CTRL Shift Lead , Vice Principal UnOfficed , From Carpool to College , and Your Morning Boost . Connect with Us: Have a question or an idea for a future episode? Reach out to us at admin@forwardednetwork.com or find us on social media using the tag #theForwardEDnetwork. Ready for your next boost? Browse our catalog and discover your next great listen on The ForwardED Network. This episode includes AI-generated content.
Stop Forcing Compliance: How to Map Influence in Your School
Jun 1, 202649 minS2
<p>Why do clear school initiatives stall six months after everyone nods along in your staff meeting? It’s because positional authority can only mandate basic compliance—it can never cultivate true commitment. If your plan is "clearly communicated" but your educators aren't moving, you don't have a communication problem; you have an influence challenge.</p><p>In this special one-year anniversary episode of Control+Shift+Lead, host Jim Wichman (Inspired Edification) and co-host Dr. Ben Johnson (Assistant Superintendent) celebrate one year of changemaking conversations by diving deep into the mechanics of Intentional Influence and Cultural Mapping.</p><p>They are...
Finishing Strong Navigating the May Slide in Leadership
May 1, 202640 minS2
<p>Are you and your staff just "crawling to the finish line"? 🏃♂️ The "May Slide" can drain the energy out of even the best school cultures. Discover how to stay present, celebrate the journey, and finish the year with purpose.</p><p>EPISODE SUMMARY In this episode of Control+Shift+Lead, hosts Adam Busch and Jim Wichman host a leadership roundtable with Dr. Jeremy Braden and Dr. Jill Urich. We tackle the unique challenges of the end-of-year season in education.</p><p>We explore the "Control" and "Shift" segments of leadership, focusing on what to stop doing right now to reduce no...
Control+Shift+Lead: The Education Leadership Podcast
YOU MIGHT LIKE - Modern Grading Reform
Apr 7, 202656 minS0
<h3>Modern Grading Reform — Sustaining the Work (Episode 4)</h3><p>Series Finale: 20 Years in the Trenches</p><p>It is one thing to initiate grading reform; it is another to ensure it survives the "implementation dip" and becomes part of a school's cultural fabric. In this final installment of the Modern Grading Reform mini-series, Dr. Chad Lang and Dr. Matt Townsley draw upon two decades of experience to explore the complexities of maintaining momentum in educational change.</p><p>Moving beyond technical adjustments, this episode elucidates why effective grading practices require a profound shift in educational philosophy. The hosts tackle th...
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