Episode 186

Episode 186: Becoming a Lighthouse Leader

Published on: 12th January, 2025

In this episode of the Leaning Into Leadership podcast, we’re exploring the powerful metaphor of the lighthouse and how it relates to effective school leadership. Inspired by a visit to Martha’s Vineyard, host Darrin Peppard reflects on the enduring purpose of lighthouses and the lessons they offer for guiding schools and teams in 2025. Discover five lighthouse-inspired principles—from guiding through challenges to creating a culture of hope and safety—and learn actionable strategies to shine brightly as a leader this year. Whether you’re navigating staff burnout, shifting priorities, or the complexities of educational leadership, this episode will leave you inspired and ready to lead with purpose.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

  • The five lighthouse-inspired principles of effective leadership
  • How to provide clarity and focus for your team during uncertain times
  • The importance of being a consistent and visible presence in your school
  • How to position yourself strategically to make the greatest impact
  • The power of empowering your team and fostering trust
  • Why creating a culture of hope and safety is essential for school success

Guiding Through Challenges

  • Learn how to define your "true north" and guide your school community through obstacles with clear priorities and a shared vision.

Steadfast Presence

  • Discover why consistency and visibility are key to building trust and creating stability for your team.

Strategic Positioning

  • Explore how to focus your time and energy where it matters most to drive impactful outcomes for students and staff.

Shining a Light for Others

  • Find out how empowering your team with clarity and support can create a culture of trust and shared ownership.

Symbol of Hope and Safety

  • Understand how fostering a positive culture helps staff and students feel valued, supported, and ready to grow.

Share Your Thoughts: Did this episode inspire you to embrace the lighthouse principles in your leadership? Let us know your thoughts! Leave a review or share the episode on social media with your biggest takeaway. Don’t forget to tag us so we can join the conversation.

Blogpost link referenced in the episode - Be a Lighthouse: Five Guiding Principles for School Leaders in 2025

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About the Podcast

Leaning into Leadership
A Road to Awesome Podcast
We all want to see successes in both our personal and professional lives. Often, that requires strong leadership. In a time when leadership can be more challenging than ever, this podcast is dedicated to cultivating leaders by elevating the voices of leaders and promoting positivity. Join Dr. Darrin Peppard, lifelong educator and best-selling author, for this mixed platform podcast (some solo, some guest interview) for inspiration and insight, and some great leadership stories from those are living it, excelling at it, and celebrating it. Together, let's lean into leadership.

About your host

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Darrin Peppard

Darrin Peppard is an author, publisher, speaker, and consultant focused on what matters most in leadership and education. Darrin is an expert in school culture and climate, as well as coaching and growing emerging leaders, and is the author of the best selling book Road to Awesome: Empower, Lead, Change the Game.

Darrin was named the 2016 Wyoming Secondary School Principal of the Year by WASSP/NASSP and was the 2015 Jostens Renaissance Educator of the Year. In 2017, Darrin earned his Doctorate Degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Wyoming. Darrin was inducted into the Jostens Renaissance Hall of Fame in 2019.

Darrin now shares his experiences from over 25 years in education, specifically those learned as an education leader during the past 13 years. As a ‘recovering’ high school principal, Darrin shares lessons learned and effective strategies from over 25 years in public education to help leaders (both adults and students) to become more effective and positively impact the world around them. Connect with Darrin at roadtoawesome.net