From Hindsight to Foresight: Lessons in Leadership with George Couros
“I want my hindsight to help someone else’s foresight”
George Couros
George Couros reminds us of something powerful: Innovation starts with mindset.
In this episode, you’ll discover how to foster a culture of collaboration, empower educators to embrace creativity, and lead schools that meet the best needs of all children.
Hosted by NAESP member, author, and keynote speaker Adam Welcome, this season brings dynamic conversations with today’s leading voices in education. Each episode dives into real-world strategies and inspiring stories designed to help you strengthen your leadership, build collaborative school cultures, and bring practical, purposeful tools into your daily practice.
🌟 5 Key Takeaways
- Lead with Intentionality and Action. Great leaders don’t just talk about change — they model it. It’s not enough to say the right things; you have to show them through consistent, meaningful action.
- Be a Resource Maximizer. The best principals use what they have — people, time, and tools — in the most effective way possible. Leadership isn’t about having everything; it’s about making the most of what’s already there.
- Mentorship is a Two-Way Street. Whether you’re the mentor or the mentee, remain open to learning. Every conversation can sharpen perspective — wisdom comes from both experience and curiosity.
- Do Fewer Things, Bette. Avoid spreading yourself and your team too thin. Focus deeply on a few priorities with fidelity rather than juggling many with mediocrity. Consistency builds culture.
- Honor Your “You Time” Protect your personal and reflection time as intentionally as you schedule meetings for others. Great leadership requires space to think, recharge, and stay grounded.
💡 4 Guiding Questions
- Am I leading with more talk or more action right now — and how can I better model the change I want to see?
- What are the “five things” my school should focus on with true fidelity this year?
- How can I strengthen my own mentor-mentee relationships to encourage more shared learning?
- How can I better protect and prioritize my “you time” to sustain my effectiveness as a leader?
✅ 3 Actions to Try This Month
- Simplify Your Focus: Identify one initiative or goal that matters most to your school community, and rally your team around doing it exceptionally well.
- Initiate a Mentorship Moment: Schedule one “learning conversation” — with someone you can mentor or learn from — to exchange ideas, challenges, and insights.
- Schedule Your “You Time”: Block out 30 minutes each week for reflection, reading, or quiet planning — and honor it as you would any critical meeting.