Episode 189

Episode 189: Simplify, Prioritize, and Thrive with Barb Flowers

Published on: 26th January, 2025

In this episode of the Leaning Into Leadership podcast, Dr. Darrin Peppard is joined by Barb Flowers, Principal of the U.S. Elementary Division at Eastwood Global and a certified life coach specializing in leadership development for principals. Barb shares her journey from being a brick-and-mortar school leader to helping launch an innovative online school and homeschooling program while coaching principals to lead with clarity and confidence.

Key Topics Discussed:

  • Barb’s unique leadership role at Eastwood Global, combining International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum with the science of reading.
  • The parallels and contrasts between traditional school leadership and leading in a virtual environment.
  • Proven strategies for managing time, reducing stress, and setting boundaries as a school leader.
  • The importance of saying “no” to unnecessary initiatives and focusing on what truly matters.
  • How principals can develop self-belief and avoid the trap of comparison.
  • Barb’s insights into the power of thought work and using affirmations to foster confidence and intentionality in leadership.
  • Practical routines and habits for maintaining focus and avoiding overwhelm.

Key Takeaways for Listeners:

  • Why removing email from your phone is a game changer for work-life balance.
  • How to set boundaries that protect your time and energy while modeling the same for your staff.
  • The transformative impact of focusing on thought work to create more positive emotions and actions.
  • Why limiting initiatives and prioritizing depth over breadth benefits your entire school community.
  • Actionable steps to create routines that align with your leadership vision and values.

About Barb Flowers:

Barb brings 14 years of public education experience, including six years as a principal, to her role as a leadership coach and educational leader. She helps principals overcome stress, manage their time effectively, and lead with purpose, all while balancing the demands of professional and personal life.

Connect with Barb Flowers:

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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