Setting the tone for the year ahead

Yesterday was a beautiful day in the Boston area.

And I had the great pleasure to spend it with the Board at Lesley Ellis School as they kicked off their year together.

Taking the time to pause and level set as a board is one of the most powerful ways to set the tone for the year ahead.

It creates space to ask:
What do we most need to focus on to move the school forward?

This group showed up ready to do that work.

They had big topics to tackle.
And they dove in with openness, candor, and a genuine commitment to serving their school well.

When a board invests time in reflection and alignment, it’s not just about improving meetings or clarifying goals.

It’s about strengthening the partnership between the board and the head.
And ensuring that everyone is pulling in the same direction.

That shared clarity is what allows a board to move from busy to strategic and from reacting to leading.

I’m grateful to Rhiannon McElwee for inviting me into the conversation and to the board for the thoughtful, forward-looking work they’re doing.

I’m excited to see what the year brings!