The Innovator’s Mindset Podcast

What does it take to develop school leaders who are prepared for the realities of today's educational landscape?
In this episode of The Innovator's Mindset Podcast, George Couros sits down with Justin Faulkner, founder and CEO of Connected Leadership Partners, to discuss how leadership development can move beyond theory and become practical, relevant, and immediately applicable.
Drawing from his experience as a teacher, coach, principal, higher education faculty member, and researcher, Justin shares insights from his work supporting leadership pipelines across Florida. Together, they explore why many principal preparation programs fall short, how leadership development should be grounded in real-world challenges, and why building strong professional networks may be just as important as the content itself.
The conversation also dives into the concept of fractional leadership, a model borrowed from the business world that helps schools and districts access expertise in innovative ways without adding full-time positions. Justin explains how districts can leverage existing talent, rethink traditional structures, and create more flexible systems to support growth and innovation.
Additional topics include:
• What Justin's research revealed about principal preparation programs• Why stress management is often the biggest leadership preparation gap• The importance of learning from leaders who are currently doing the work• How coaching and cohort-based learning accelerate leadership growth• The role of AI and emerging technologies in leadership development• Why relationships and networking often become the most valuable part of professional learning• How iterative feedback helps organizations continually improve leadership programs• Lessons educational leaders can learn from working in the restaurant industry
Whether you're an aspiring administrator, a veteran principal, district leader, or someone passionate about leadership development, this conversation offers practical ideas for building stronger leadership pipelines and creating systems that support meaningful growth.
Questions for Reflection and Conversation:
What leadership skills are most difficult to learn through traditional preparation programs and require experience, coaching, or mentorship?
How could your school or district better leverage the expertise that already exists within your organization?
What structures help leaders move from simply learning new ideas to consistently implementing them in practice?
 
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👉 Share your thoughts in the comments or connect with me on social media using #InnovatorsMindset
🌐 More at: https://georgecouros.com
🎙 Full audio podcast: https://linktr.ee/gcouros
Follow George Couros:X: https://x.com/gcouros
Instagram: https://instagram.com/gcouros
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/georgecourosauthor/
LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/george-couros-a5146519
📚 Books by George Couros:Forward, Together:https://a.co/d/99RGvl3
The Innovator's Mindset: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0986155497?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d
What Makes a Great Principal: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1948334739?tag=onamzgeorge0f-20
Because of a Teacher: https://www.amazon.com/dp/194833433X?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d
Because of a Teacher 2: https://www.amazon.com/dp/194833450X?tag=onamzgeorge0f-20
Innovate Inside the Box: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1948334127?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d
Music from Bensound - http://bensound.com/

In this podcast, we explore a question that quietly shapes every classroom, team, and organization:
What gets ignored, and what gets corrected?
Through stories from basketball officiating, classroom teaching, and school leadership, George Couros reflects on how inconsistent expectations can unintentionally shape culture. Why do some people get held to impossible standards while others are continually excused? And what message does that send to the people who consistently show up, care deeply, and do the right thing?
This conversation dives into:• Why inconsistent accountability erodes trust• How low expectations can quietly become normalized• The hidden cost of overburdening high performers• What people actually notice in leadership and culture• How expectations ultimately shape organizational culture
As discussed in “Forward, Together,” culture is not only built through mission statements or strategic plans, but also through what leaders permit, ignore, correct, and reinforce every single day.
Questions for reflection:
What behaviors are being unintentionally normalized in your organization?
Are your highest performers being developed, or simply relied upon?
What do people learn from what gets ignored?
“When we excuse poor behavior long enough, it becomes normalized. And when we punish excellence too often, it becomes unsustainable.”
 
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👉 Share your thoughts in the comments or connect with me on social media using #InnovatorsMindset
 
🌐 More at: https://georgecouros.com
 
🎙 Full audio podcast: https://linktr.ee/gcouros
 
Follow George Couros:
X: https://x.com/gcouros
 
Instagram: https://instagram.com/gcouros
 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/georgecourosauthor/
 
LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/george-couros-a5146519
 
📚 Books by George Couros:
Forward, Together:
https://a.co/d/99RGvl3
 
The Innovator's Mindset: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0986155497?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d
 
What Makes a Great Principal: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1948334739?tag=onamzgeorge0f-20
 
Because of a Teacher: https://www.amazon.com/dp/194833433X?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d
 
Because of a Teacher 2: https://www.amazon.com/dp/194833450X?tag=onamzgeorge0f-20
 
Innovate Inside the Box: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1948334127?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d
Music from Bensound - http://bensound.com/

In this episode of The Innovator's Mindset Podcast, George Couros sits down with Carolee Ogata, Superintendent of Huntington Beach Union High School District, to explore what it looks like when schools move beyond compliance and create cultures of true ownership.
Carolee shares how some of the district's most impactful opportunities, including Model UN, AVID, IB, performing arts, entrepreneurship programs, and career pathways, were not created by central office leaders. Instead, they were developed and led by educators who saw possibilities and took initiative.
The conversation explores why ownership matters more than buy-in, how leaders can create the conditions for innovation without controlling the process, and why empowering staff ultimately leads to greater opportunities for students. Through stories of student entrepreneurship, leadership, performing arts, and real-world learning, George and Carolee discuss how schools can help students do more than prepare for the future; they can make an impact today.
Key topics include:
• The difference between buy-in and ownership• Why teachers are often the most creative people in the organization• Creating conditions where innovation can thrive• Student ownership and authentic learning opportunities• Building diverse pathways that help every learner succeed• Leadership strategies that empower rather than control
Reflection and Conversation Questions:
What is the difference between asking people to buy into an idea and creating opportunities for them to develop ownership of it?
How can leaders create conditions where teachers and students feel empowered to initiate meaningful change?
What opportunities exist in your school or organization to move from compliance-driven practices toward greater ownership and innovation?
Subscribe for more conversations on leadership, innovation, learning, and creating cultures where people thrive.
___________
 
👉 Share your thoughts in the comments or connect with me on social media using #InnovatorsMindset
🌐 More at: https://georgecouros.com
🎙 Full audio podcast: https://linktr.ee/gcouros
Follow George Couros:X: https://x.com/gcouros
Instagram: https://instagram.com/gcouros
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/georgecourosauthor/
LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/george-couros-a5146519
📚 Books by George Couros:Forward, Together:https://a.co/d/99RGvl3
The Innovator's Mindset: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0986155497?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d
What Makes a Great Principal: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1948334739?tag=onamzgeorge0f-20
Because of a Teacher: https://www.amazon.com/dp/194833433X?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d
Because of a Teacher 2: https://www.amazon.com/dp/194833450X?tag=onamzgeorge0f-20
Innovate Inside the Box: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1948334127?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d
Music from Bensound - http://bensound.com/
 

In this episode, I explore an idea that stuck with me during a long run: many of the qualities we admire most only work when connected to something else that gives them balance and direction.
Courage without wisdom can become recklessness. Hard work without discipline often leads to frustration. Innovation without a strong understanding of the basics rarely lasts.
Throughout this conversation, I share personal stories about weight loss, marathon training, writing, investing, education, AI, and even learning piano, all centered around one idea: strengths become far more powerful when paired with the qualities that ground them.
I also discuss:• Why habits become more meaningful when connected to long-term goals• The danger of romanticizing “risk-taking” in education• Why foundational skills still matter in an AI-driven world• How great teaching resembles jazz improvisation• Why growth often comes from balance, not extremes
This episode is a reminder that success is rarely about one isolated trait. It is about understanding the relationships between the qualities that help us grow personally and professionally.
Questions for reflection:
What strength in your life might need a balancing quality beside it?
Are your habits connected to goals that truly matter to you?
What foundational skills should we protect and strengthen in a rapidly changing world?
___________
 
 
👉 Share your thoughts in the comments or connect with me on social media using #InnovatorsMindset
 
🌐 More at: https://georgecouros.com
 
🎙 Full audio podcast: https://linktr.ee/gcouros
 
Follow George Couros:
X: https://x.com/gcouros
 
Instagram: https://instagram.com/gcouros
 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/georgecourosauthor/
 
LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/george-couros-a5146519
 
📚 Books by George Couros:
Forward, Together:
https://a.co/d/99RGvl3
 
The Innovator's Mindset: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0986155497?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d
 
What Makes a Great Principal: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1948334739?tag=onamzgeorge0f-20
 
Because of a Teacher: https://www.amazon.com/dp/194833433X?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d
 
Because of a Teacher 2: https://www.amazon.com/dp/194833450X?tag=onamzgeorge0f-20
 
Innovate Inside the Box: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1948334127?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d
Music from Bensound - http://bensound.com/
 

In this episode, we dive into one of the most challenging parts of leadership in education: navigating difficult conversations with staff, caregivers, colleagues, and school communities. Inspired by the book Connecting Through Conversation, this discussion goes beyond theory and into practical, real-world strategies that help leaders communicate with clarity, empathy, and confidence.
We share stories from our own experiences in education leadership, including conversations that went well, conversations we would handle differently today, and the specific approaches that helped build stronger relationships and healthier school cultures. From addressing conflict and accountability to staying grounded during emotionally charged moments, this episode is packed with practical insights school leaders can use immediately.
Questions explored in this episode include:
• Why do so many school leaders avoid difficult conversations until situations become much harder than they need to be?• How can leaders balance accountability with empathy during emotionally charged situations?• What are practical strategies leaders can use to stay calm, grounded, and productive during high stakes conversations?• How can avoiding difficult conversations actually damage school culture more than having them?• What leadership lessons have we learned from difficult conversations we would handle differently today?
Whether you are a principal, superintendent, instructional coach, teacher leader, or aspiring administrator, this conversation will help you think differently about communication, leadership, and culture in schools.
Book Referenced in This Episode:Connecting Through Conversationhttps://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GWWC65JW
 
___________
 
👉 Share your thoughts in the comments or connect with me on social media using #InnovatorsMindset
🌐 More at: https://georgecouros.com
🎙 Full audio podcast: https://linktr.ee/gcouros
Follow George Couros:
X: https://x.com/gcouros
Instagram: https://instagram.com/gcouros
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/georgecourosauthor/
LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/george-couros-a5146519
📚 Books by George Couros:
Forward, Together:
https://a.co/d/99RGvl3
 
The Innovator's Mindset: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0986155497?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d
 
What Makes a Great Principal: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1948334739?tag=onamzgeorge0f-20
 
Because of a Teacher: https://www.amazon.com/dp/194833433X?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d
Because of a Teacher 2: https://www.amazon.com/dp/194833450X?tag=onamzgeorge0f-20
Innovate Inside the Box: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1948334127?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d
Music from Bensound - http://bensound.com/

What does it mean to stay teachable in a world changing faster than ever?
In this episode, I reflect on the work of Daniel Pink and revisit an idea I first wrote about in 2015 called “The Sponge Factor,” the ability to absorb knowledge, feedback, and experiences, then transform them into better ideas and practices.
We explore why this mindset matters more than ever in education and leadership, especially as AI and emerging technologies continue reshaping the future of work and learning.
I also share personal examples of how I’ve tried to develop “sponginess” over the years, including:• Learning guitar and piano later in life• How blogging shaped my thinking and growth as a writer• Why consuming ideas I disagree with has made me a stronger learner and leader
This conversation dives into curiosity, feedback, growth, skepticism, creativity, and why adaptability may become one of the most important human skills in the future.
As I shared earlier this year:“We are not only preparing students for jobs that don’t currently exist, but also a workplace where many jobs will no longer exist.”
If we want students to thrive in uncertainty, we have to help them become learners who can continually adjust, grow, and create.
Questions for reflection:
What experiences have helped you become more adaptable as a learner?
How do we create schools and organizations that value growth over certainty?
Are we helping students memorize information, or helping them learn how to learn?
Link to Dan Pink video: https://www.instagram.com/p/DYUlEnSsS5q
 
Link to Blog Post: https://georgecouros.com/the-sponge-factor-dan-pink/
 
___________
 
👉 Share your thoughts in the comments or connect with me on social media using #InnovatorsMindset
🌐 More at: https://georgecouros.com
🎙 Full audio podcast: https://linktr.ee/gcouros
Follow George Couros:X: https://x.com/gcouros
Instagram: https://instagram.com/gcouros
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/georgecourosauthor/
LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/george-couros-a5146519
📚 Books by George Couros:Forward, Together:https://a.co/d/99RGvl3
The Innovator's Mindset: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0986155497?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d
What Makes a Great Principal: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1948334739?tag=onamzgeorge0f-20
Because of a Teacher: https://www.amazon.com/dp/194833433X?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d
Because of a Teacher 2: https://www.amazon.com/dp/194833450X?tag=onamzgeorge0f-20
Innovate Inside the Box: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1948334127?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d
Music from Bensound - http://bensound.com/
 

What does it take to create a school culture where people feel supported, challenged, and genuinely connected to the work?
In this conversation, I sit down with Tara Estep and Eric Rosburg from the Cedar Falls Community Schools to discuss how they intentionally build community-centered cultures that bring initiatives to life instead of simply asking people to comply with change.
We explore the idea of “competitive collaboration,” where educators push one another to grow while also providing the support needed to succeed. Tara and Eric also share how Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) became a meaningful part of learning in their district because the work was built from the teacher perspective, with educators leading the implementation instead of having it done to them.
In this episode, we discuss:
How strong relationships make meaningful change possible
Why ownership matters more than buy-in
What “competitive collaboration” looks like in practice
How teacher-led PLCs created deeper engagement and learning
Ways leaders can create conditions where people thrive together
Questions for reflection:
Are the initiatives in your organization built with people or for people?
How can collaboration both challenge and support growth?
What changes when teachers help lead the learning instead of simply receiving it?
If you enjoyed this conversation, like, subscribe, and share with someone passionate about leadership, culture, and meaningful learning.
___________
 
 
👉 Share your thoughts in the comments or connect with me on social media using #InnovatorsMindset
 
🌐 More at: https://georgecouros.com
 
🎙 Full audio podcast: https://linktr.ee/gcouros
 
Follow George Couros:
X: https://x.com/gcouros
 
Instagram: https://instagram.com/gcouros
 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/georgecourosauthor/
 
LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/george-couros-a5146519
 
📚 Books by George Couros:
Forward, Together:
https://a.co/d/99RGvl3
 
The Innovator's Mindset: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0986155497?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d
 
What Makes a Great Principal: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1948334739?tag=onamzgeorge0f-20
 
Because of a Teacher: https://www.amazon.com/dp/194833433X?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d
 
Because of a Teacher 2: https://www.amazon.com/dp/194833450X?tag=onamzgeorge0f-20
 
Innovate Inside the Box: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1948334127?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d
 
Music from Bensound - http://bensound.com/

You can pick up your copy of "Forward, Together" here on Amazon: https://a.co/d/04wH2gP8
 
One of the biggest leadership challenges in education is not getting people to “buy in,” but creating true ownership. In this episode, I explore the difference between compliance and commitment, and why schools that build ideas together are far more likely to create lasting change. Drawing from experiences as a teacher and principal, as well as ideas from my book Forward, Together, I share practical ways leaders can create cultures where people feel heard, valued, and connected to the direction of their organization.
In this conversation, we discuss:• Why “buy-in” often creates short-term movement, while ownership builds long-term commitment• How mission and vision processes can unite entire school communities• Why healthy disagreement and respectful challenge strengthen organizations• The importance of acting on feedback instead of simply “hearing” people• A personal leadership story about choosing trust over winning an argument
If we want meaningful and sustainable change in schools, people need more than inspiration. They need influence on the journey.
Questions for Consideration:
Are we trying to convince people to support initiatives, or are we creating opportunities for them to help shape them?
Do people in our organization feel safe challenging ideas while still feeling valued?
How often does feedback actually influence decisions in visible and meaningful ways?
___________
 
 
👉 Share your thoughts in the comments or connect with me on social media using #InnovatorsMindset
 
🌐 More at: https://georgecouros.com
 
🎙 Full audio podcast: https://linktr.ee/gcouros
 
Follow George Couros:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/gcouros
 
Instagram: https://instagram.com/gcouros
 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/georgecourosauthor/
 
LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/george-couros-a5146519
 
📚 Books by George Couros:
Forward, Together:
https://a.co/d/99RGvl3
 
The Innovator's Mindset: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0986155497?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d
 
What Makes a Great Principal: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1948334739?tag=onamzgeorge0f-20
 
Because of a Teacher: https://www.amazon.com/dp/194833433X?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d
 
Because of a Teacher 2: https://www.amazon.com/dp/194833450X?tag=onamzgeorge0f-20
 
Innovate Inside the Box: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1948334127?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d
Music from Bensound - http://bensound.com/

What happens when we stop focusing on delivering information and start creating the conditions for curiosity?
In this episode of The Innovator’s Mindset Podcast, George Couros sits down with educator, instructional coach, and conference founder Olivia Odileke to explore why curiosity may be the most important skill we can cultivate in schools today.
Olivia shares the inspiration behind the Spark Curiosity EDU Experience, an immersive conference designed to help educators move beyond compliance-driven instruction and create learning experiences that spark thinking, wonder, and engagement. Together, they discuss the role of psychological safety, the difference between retention and learning, the challenges facing modern classrooms, and how educators can rediscover joy and purpose in their work.
In this conversation, you'll learn:
• Why curiosity is the foundation for problem-solving, adaptability, persistence, and deeper learning• How "discovery before delivery" can transform classroom experiences• The importance of psychological safety for both students and educators• Why changing student experiences starts with changing adult experiences• How AI can support instructional decision-making without replacing human connection• Practical strategies educators can use immediately to spark engagement and thinking
You'll also hear about innovative elements of the Spark Curiosity EDU Experience, including the Spark Wall, Shout-Out Wall, Fearless Educator Radio, and Olivia's Micro-Inquiry Framework.
Connect with Olivia:https://www.linkedin.com/in/olivia-odileke/
Learn more about the conference:https://sparkcuriosityedu.com/
Questions for Reflection and Conversation:
What are we doing in our classrooms that sparks curiosity before delivering information?
How can we create greater psychological safety for both students and educators to take risks and learn?
Are our students primarily consuming information, or are they actively uncovering and constructing understanding?
#Curiosity #Education #Teaching #Learning #InstructionalDesign #StudentEngagement #EducationalLeadership #InnovationInEducation #InquiryBasedLearning #TeacherDevelopment #EdChat #AIinEducation #TheInnovatorsMindset #SparkCuriosity #ProfessionalLearning
___________
 
👉 Share your thoughts in the comments or connect with me on social media using #InnovatorsMindset
🌐 More at: https://georgecouros.com
🎙 Full audio podcast: https://linktr.ee/gcouros
Follow George Couros:X: https://x.com/gcouros
Instagram: https://instagram.com/gcouros
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/georgecourosauthor/
LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/george-couros-a5146519
📚 Books by George Couros:Forward, Together:https://a.co/d/99RGvl3
The Innovator's Mindset: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0986155497?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d
What Makes a Great Principal: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1948334739?tag=onamzgeorge0f-20
Because of a Teacher: https://www.amazon.com/dp/194833433X?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d
Because of a Teacher 2: https://www.amazon.com/dp/194833450X?tag=onamzgeorge0f-20
Innovate Inside the Box: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1948334127?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d
Music from Bensound - http://bensound.com/
 

Technology has made so many aspects of our lives easier. We can access information instantly, communicate in seconds, and use powerful AI tools with little training. But as technology removes friction, an important question emerges:
Are we helping students develop the capacity to do hard things?
In this episode, I explore ideas sparked by a recent TED Talk from Jonathan Haidt and reflect on the relationship between technology, attention, learning, and personal growth. While technology itself may be easier than ever to use, the work that leads to meaningful growth, deep learning, strong relationships, and thoughtful leadership often requires effort, persistence, and discomfort.
We discuss:
• Why learning technology is often easier than learning how to use it wisely• The connection between attention, distraction, and meaningful work• How convenience can sometimes work against growth and learning• Why difficult conversations, deep reading, and thoughtful writing still matter• What schools can do to help students embrace challenge rather than avoid it• The importance of becoming "techno-curious," balancing both skepticism and wonder
Questions for Reflection and Conversation
As technology becomes easier to use, what skills and dispositions become more important for students to develop?
Where might convenience be helping learning, and where might it be unintentionally limiting growth?
How can educators create experiences that encourage students to pursue meaningful challenges instead of always choosing the easiest path?
What is something difficult in your own life that ultimately made you better because you worked through it?
How do we help students use technology not just efficiently, but purposefully?
Referenced Blog Post:
The Easier Technology Gets, the More Challenge Mattershttps://georgecouros.com/the-easier-technology-gets-haidt/
This episode expands on the ideas shared in the blog and explores why, in a world where technology makes so much easier, helping students develop resilience, curiosity, critical thinking, and a willingness to embrace challenge may be more important than ever.
 
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👉 Share your thoughts in the comments or connect with me on social media using #InnovatorsMindset
🌐 More at: https://georgecouros.com
🎙 Full audio podcast: https://linktr.ee/gcouros
Follow George Couros:X: https://x.com/gcouros
Instagram: https://instagram.com/gcouros
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/georgecourosauthor/
LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/george-couros-a5146519
📚 Books by George Couros:Forward, Together:https://a.co/d/99RGvl3
The Innovator's Mindset: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0986155497?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d
What Makes a Great Principal: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1948334739?tag=onamzgeorge0f-20
Because of a Teacher: https://www.amazon.com/dp/194833433X?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d
Because of a Teacher 2: https://www.amazon.com/dp/194833450X?tag=onamzgeorge0f-20
Innovate Inside the Box: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1948334127?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d
Music from Bensound - http://bensound.com/