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The School Leader's Podcast

The School Leader's Podcast is a podcast for current and aspiring principals on a mission to create a school of excellence. On this podcast, we will explore the challenges, strategies, and successes of the school leader's journey. Listeners will hear from fellow school leaders and other voices on the field to scale up your leadership practices in several areas, including school culture, student achievement, innovative ideas and more. I will also share my reflections and tips from over 15 years as a school leader. Together, we will dive deep into the real work of school leaders & how to plan for success. 

Recent Episodes

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43. 23 Ways to Be a Better School Leader
Sept. 1, 2025

43. 23 Ways to Be a Better School Leader

School leadership is rewarding — and relentless. In this energizing episode, I walk listeners through 23 practical habits and mindset shifts that strengthen influence, improve decision-making, and protect leaders from burnout...
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42. 8 Traits of Successful School Leaders
June 17, 2025

42. 8 Traits of Successful School Leaders

In this episode, I explore the 8 essential traits that distinguish the most effective principals and educational leaders. Backed by research from the Wallace Foundation, Education Development Trust, and insights from thought ...
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41. Strategies to End The School Year Successfully
May 26, 2025

41. Strategies to End The School Year Successfully

As the academic year wraps up, K–12 school leaders and share principals face a critical opportunity to reflect, celebrate, and prepare. In this episode, I shares 8 practical strategies for school principals and administrators...
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40. Connect & Thrive: Building a High-Morale School Community
April 12, 2025

40. Connect & Thrive: Building a High-Morale School Community

In this episode, I dives into the critical issue of teacher and staff morale. With teacher burnout at an all-time high, I provides actionable strategies for school leaders to cultivate a positive, supportive, and high-morale ...
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39. 8 Strategies for School Leaders to Create More Margin in Your Day
March 3, 2025

39. 8 Strategies for School Leaders to Create More Margin in Your Day

In this episode, we explore eight strategies for school leaders to create more margin in their day. According to a report from Education Support, 78% of teachers have reported feeling stressed or experiencing burnout. Recent ...
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38. 7 Powerful Ways to Get Noticed by Your Boss and Advance Your Career
Nov. 12, 2024

38. 7 Powerful Ways to Get Noticed by Your Boss and Advance Your Career

In this episode, we dive into seven impactful strategies to help you stand out in your school or workplace and capture the attention of your principal or leadership team. What does it really mean to “get noticed” at work? It ...
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Recent Blog Posts

March 8, 2025

Creating Margin: 8 Essential Strategies for School Leaders

Creating Margin: 8 Essential Strategies for School Leaders
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July 7, 2024

7 Things Effective School Leaders Do Over the Summer

7 Things Effective School Leaders Do Over the Summer
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Jan. 3, 2024

Top 10 Episodes of The School Leader’s Podcast

Top 10 Episodes of The School Leader’s Podcast
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Reviews

Inspiring Podcasts For Leaders of Today and Tomorrow

"Dr Harrigan brings inspiring views and ideas to better leaders of today and tomorrow. He has innovative ideas to show how we leaders can better education not only for ourselves but for the achievemen…"

MadLibs08 | Feb. 5, 2023

5 Self-Care Tips for School Leaders

"Dr Harrigan, Thanks for sharing these valuable tips that can help school leaders rejuvenate. This is a perfect time to share this episode since most of us are on vacation right now and getting ready …"

TNEL84 | Dec. 28, 2022

Leadership!

"Dr. Harrigan, You’re very inspirational and give the leaders excellent motivation to achieve our goals. This is a great support system for all the leaders, school staff and anyone that needs to recha…"

soccer.7Lu | Aug. 6, 2022

Very informative 👌🏽

"Very informative 👌🏽"

Joy@2018 | Aug. 3, 2022

Great podcast for all educators!!

"This podcast is so practical and transformative. Our school system needs better leaders to develop our children. Thank you for this podcast!!"

David Prosper | Aug. 2, 2022

We need better leadership

"So proud of you dr Harrigan, thanks for being an excellent principal and leader. Bravo that you decide to instill your knowledge and wisdom to help others be a better leader. Well done!"

Manizbic | July 27, 2022

Great Info

"Another great episode with excellent guests. I really appreciated the info shared in by Dr. Karen. She provided a realistic view about her work with school ESE teams. Great job in stimulating ideas 💡…"

Dr. Jabouin | March 22, 2023

Review - 1. Practical Ideas to Recharge Your Leadership Battery

"Practical and helpful information."

Mrs. Morris-Vachon | June 22, 2023

3. Principal Leadership: Lessons Learned Part 2

"Excellent leadership information that I can utilize in all of my leadership roles."

Mrs. Morris-Vachon | June 26, 2023

4. Tips For New Principals

"Awesome information for all leadership roles."

Mrs. Morris-Vachon | June 26, 2023

Powerful Information

"Thanks Dr. Harrigan for sharing this great information."

Shuntice | Sept. 4, 2023

Strategies to level up your leadership journey.

"I am a teacher and own my own business, not a current or aspiring principal, but the tips Dr. Harrigan shares is helpful for anyone working with children in a leadership role, and for anyone pursuing…"

Let’s change the world! | March 14, 2024

5 Mini-Habits to Become a Better Leader

"Useful, clearly presented, readily implementable tips on leadership development . Thank you l! Mr. Bellini - Educator"

Joseph Bellini | June 9, 2024
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