Accelerate Your Performance
530 episodes - English - Latest episode: 2 days ago - ★★★★★ - 29 ratingsAccelerate Your Performance is a weekly podcast hosted by Dr. Janet Pilcher, Managing Director of Studer Education and author of Hardwiring Excellence in Education. Every week, Janet highlights tactical and actionable strategies that leaders in educational organizations can hardwire to meet successful student, service, and people outcomes. Listen now, and you’ll see why it’s ranked by ListenNotes in the top 5% of podcasts worldwide.
As she introduces a variety of pivotal leadership practices from the Nine Principles ® Framework, Janet underscores the importance of seamlessly integrating each practice to deliver positive and impactful results. For each leadership practice she introduces, Janet provides a solid foundation and then collaborates with coaching experts to dig deeper and demonstrate its practical application. Janet also interviews leaders and partners who excel at the tactics to hear about their implementation journeys, hurdles they’ve faced, and their notable achievements. To bring it all together, she offers a broader perspective on leadership, interviewing guests about a diverse array of topics on their paths to achieving organizational excellence.
Follow for weekly insights and actionable strategies to accelerate your performance and become your best at work!
Homepage Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed
Episodes
How Leaders Stay Grounded
August 26, 2021 08:00 - 19 minutes - 13.4 MBGet comfortable being uncomfortable. It's a saying you've likely heard before, and one that today's guest says applies to being a Superintendent. As an educator for 29 years, Deanna (Dede) Ashby, recently retired Superintendent of Hopkins County Schools joins Janet again to share how she helps others develop a vision and mission that leaves a huge impact on their community. Listen as Dede explains why it's important to have the right people around you and stay grounded as a Superintendent. ...
2 Tactics to Hardwire for the New School Year
August 23, 2021 08:00 - 9 minutes - 6.68 MBNew academic years begin with new faces everywhere you look. Whether people are new to the organization or new to their role, Janet recommends two tactics that build confidence and support employees in a new position. To be an excellent organization, we strive to apply these practices and train all of our team members to do the same. This episode answers questions such as: What does AIDET stand for, and how can we use it? Why are the first 90 days so critical for retaining new hires? A...
Even Rockstar Leaders Need Development
August 19, 2021 08:00 - 17 minutes - 12.4 MBBeing a Superintendent can bring out the best in people, as well as highlight our most glaring mistakes and blindspots. Today, retired Superintendent, Tim Wyrosdick joins Dr. Janet Pilcher to share what he has learned from 36 years as an educator in Santa Rosa County, Florida. Listen as Tim explains why it's important to embrace new challenges and never be satisfied. This episode answers questions such as: Why does leadership development need to be a focus for all? What is the most impor...
Unlearn to Improve
August 16, 2021 08:00 - 12 minutes - 8.52 MBHow can we tackle declining student performance? After over a year of difficult transitions and decisions, Janet shares why we need to rethink and unlearn what schools have done in the past. Most people in our educational systems want to contribute to student success - it is our purpose. Using the book, Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don't Know by Adam Grant, Janet explains how we can question and challenge our current thinking to prepare students to perform at the highest levels...
Leadership Development is a Lifeline
August 12, 2021 08:00 - 22 minutes - 15.4 MBLeadership development is often viewed as a "nice to have" in organizations. Today's guest, Dr. Pat Greco, shares why leadership development is core to the capacity of the organization and a lifeline to everyone it supports. School systems aren't static - they are continuously changing with new students, teachers, leaders, support staff and board members. Listen as Pat and Janet discuss why building leadership capabilities across all team members is a must-do. This episode answers questio...
Count Your Words
August 09, 2021 08:00 - 10 minutes - 7.58 MBThe words we use matter. Messages that focus on the customer's perspective build relationships and reinforce how important the customer is to an organization. Customers are always seeking to understand, 'what's in it for me?' Communication with this as the focus engages the people we serve. Today, Dr. Janet Pilcher shares four steps to address customer questions and respond with a focus on the customer. This episode addresses questions, such as: How can the right words reinforce our relat...
Pay Attention to the Right Work
August 05, 2021 08:00 - 20 minutes - 14.4 MBOrganizations sustain high performance when people are aligned and understand where the organization is headed. Although there will always be people who are resistant to change, the best leaders persevere through pushback to help create incredible results in our school systems. Such as, Hudson School District Superintendent Nick Ouellette, PhD, who understands that even though reaching agreement is important, so are his non-negotiables, as well as the ability to move quickly to positively im...
Families are Valuable Team Members
August 02, 2021 08:00 - 21 minutes - 14.9 MBFamilies are a great resource for educators. They offer a unique perspective and window into the life of our students. When we approach building relationships with families the same way we approach building a team within our organization, students are more successful. Today's guest, Dr. Holly Ellis shares how leaders can invest their effort into relationships that increase student engagement and confidence. This episode answers questions such as: Why is it essential for schools to engage f...
What do Employees Need from Leaders?
July 29, 2021 08:00 - 18 minutes - 13.1 MBLeaders want employees who are happy, productive and invested in the organization's future. However, retaining these people requires leaders to become aware of what it takes to meet employee's needs in the workplace. Hear about those needs and the fundamentals we use to support confident and engaged employees from Leader Coach and employee engagement expert, Dr. KK Owen. Today, KK and Janet discuss what leaders can do to increase confidence and engagement on their team - and what we might b...
Saying 'No' to Manipulators
July 26, 2021 08:00 - 9 minutes - 6.76 MBWhat can we do when an individual hoards conversation time, constantly interrupts, provides unsolicited advice and puts others down? These behaviors can be interpreted as manipulative and can damage individuals on our teams and organizations. To maintain working relationships, and be authentic to ourselves and those we lead, we have to firmly and diplomatically say no to manipulators. Today Janet shares examples of how to take control when working with a manipulator. This episode answers q...
Simple Strategies for Classroom Improvement
July 22, 2021 08:00 - 20 minutes - 14 MBAs educators, it's our goal to help students progress, achieve, and build confidence in themselves and their learning. We are witnessing schools do so by using simple continuous improvement strategies in the classroom. To share what this looks like, we've interviewed Leader Coach, Dr. Kathleen Orapollo, an expert in designing unique adult and student learning experiences. Today, Kathy and Janet discuss why classroom improvement is critical for students and staff, simple strategies to impleme...
Dealing with Manipulators
July 19, 2021 08:00 - 20 minutes - 14.4 MBWithin our organizations, there are people who will do whatever it takes to be successful. Sometimes people who we believe are high performers are actually lethal employees and manipulators. To gain power, people hoard information, shut others down, avoid seeking input and insist on always having control. Saving employees from manipulators in our organizations is one of the most difficult aspects of being a leader - especially if the manipulator is an executive leader. Today, Janet shares 8 ...
Are You a High Performer?
June 28, 2021 08:00 - 9 minutes - 6.8 MBWhat does it mean to be a high performing employee? What if we all had an athlete’s mindset at work? Today Janet closes this series about defining high performance by discussing the final 8 personality traits of high-performing athletes from the Sports Management Degree Guide. Ultimately, it takes hard work and commitment to grow ourselves to be the best we can be. Do you see that commitment on your team? This episode answers questions such as: What can athletes teach us about productivit...
Connecting Operations to Student Success
June 24, 2021 08:00 - 16 minutes - 11.6 MBWe all want to attain excellence - some of us are just more systematic and focused on how to get there. Today's guest, Dr. JoAnn Sternke cautions, "You'll never achieve excellence if you don't have purpose, focus and alignment." In this episode, Janet and JoAnn discuss how to better align operational leaders and teams to realize their impacts in academic organizations. When we bring operational and department leaders together with school and classroom leaders, good things happen. This episo...
The Winning Trait Behind Underdog Teams
June 21, 2021 08:00 - 12 minutes - 8.56 MBWhat if we all had an athlete’s mindset at work? What would that look like? Today Janet discusses 6 more personality traits of high-performing athletes from the Sports Management Degree Guide. The best teams provide opportunities for people to feel connected to the work and each other to achieve results. It’s the responsibility of every team member to ensure that no one feels alone when we are working as a team. This episode answers questions such as: What can athletes teach us about produ...
Strong Teams Don't Happen by Chance
June 17, 2021 08:00 - 22 minutes - 15.8 MBHow can we really make improvement work across an organization? What enables people to solve problems and make the best decisions at every level? We begin by helping people understand improvement is a connected, system-wide process deeply rooted in the capabilities of the people within the organization. Today, we hear from an award-winning Superintendent, and our Director of Thought Leadership, Dr. Pat Greco, who has supported an organization through hardwiring improvement from the boardroo...
Be Dedicated to Being the Best
June 14, 2021 08:00 - 11 minutes - 7.86 MBWhat if we all had an athlete's mindset at work? What would that look like? Today Janet discusses 6 personality traits of high-performing athletes and how we can use those to assess ourselves and further define high performance in the workplace. To be a high-performing team, we need all people engaging in the self-discovery work required to be their best every day. This episode answers questions such as: What can athletes teach us about productivity? Why is optimism a necessary trait for...
Prioritizing Local Culture in Schools
June 10, 2021 08:00 - 17 minutes - 12.4 MBWhy is it important to align your district values to the values found in the homes of students in the community? Today, Superintendent Dr. Larry Ouimette shares how his small northern Wisconsin school district incorporates the local Native American Ojibwe Tribe into all aspects of education. Dr. Ouimette explains that public respect of local culture has a significant bearing on the success of his students. Listen to learn more about how the Lac du Flambeau School District prioritizes communi...
What Makes an Employee a Productive One?
June 07, 2021 08:00 - 5 minutes - 4.07 MBTo garner our high-performing team, all employees are expected to be productive - and we say all very purposefully. Chris Porteous outlines 7 Traits of Supremely Productive Employees that we can use to communicate expectations to everyone on our team. Today, Dr. Janet Pilcher discusses these traits and what we can do this week to be more productive employees. This episode answers questions such as: How do we know when an employee is highly productive? How do we define productivity expec...
How Can We Improve Employee Engagement and Communication?
June 03, 2021 08:00 - 16 minutes - 11.3 MBLast September, one of the largest wildfires in central Oregon's history came within a mile of schools and downtown Estacada. While still navigating the ever-changing Covid-19 pandemic, all 1800 of Estacada School District's students, families, and employees were evacuated from their homes. However, Superintendent Ryan Carpenter and his team prepare proactively to respond to emergencies and were able to quickly move to action. As he joins Janet today, he shares how his team collected data to...
Powerful Practices That Build Connection
May 27, 2021 08:00 - 20 minutes - 14.3 MBThere is no greater compliment than trust. As educators, we have a great responsibility to do what is best for children entrusted to us. This is the foundation of the moral compass used by the Tea Area School District team led by Superintendent Jennifer Lowery. In this episode, Dr. Lowery shares how her team created a central location to connect its community and the sometimes heartbreaking burdens of leadership. This episode answers questions such as: How can a moral compass help leadersh...
Rounding with Purpose
May 24, 2021 07:00 - 10 minutes - 7.62 MBThe time has come in which organizations are thinking about how to return to work with a new perspective and understanding. As we begin to engage with each other again in person and come to work in new ways, one simple tactic will be more important than ever. Rounding with purpose results in a better culture of engaged employees and leaders working together. Today, Janet shares 8 steps to create an approach for applying rounding with purpose in your organization. This episode answers ques...
Measures that Matter and Decision Rules
May 20, 2021 08:00 - 20 minutes - 14.5 MBHow can we engage people to become champions of improvement? Today, we share how one school district stayed eight months ahead of the national conversation by investing in the brainpower of its people to solve its toughest challenges. Listen as Dr. Pat Greco and Janet discuss how the right measures and processes support an army of improvers in the School District of Menomonee Falls. This episode answers questions such as: What can leaders navigate their own stress levels to stay focused ...
Leading Change with Creative Tension
May 17, 2021 08:00 - 15 minutes - 10.5 MBChange has accelerated for all of us over this past year. External demands and pressures are calling for leaders to change the way they do business. While the majority of our employees want to help the organization achieve excellence, not everyone feels this way. Our responsibility as leaders is to focus on building work environments that empower solid and high performers to be accountable and see their value to the organization. Today, Janet shares how leaders can master the ability to lead...
Accountability in Closely Connected Communities
May 13, 2021 08:00 - 18 minutes - 12.9 MBLeadership is a full-time job that requires relentless commitment. For leaders living in rural communities, there is an added challenge of everyone knowing you personally as well. Today, Randy Drost, Superintendent of Rice Lake Area School District joins Janet to share about leading in his hometown community, Rice Lake, Wisconsin. Listen as Randy and Janet discuss the connectedness, challenges and role school leaders play in rural communities. This episode addresses questions, such as: Wha...
Being Aware of Our Cognitive Biases
May 10, 2021 08:00 - 12 minutes - 8.67 MBA goal of many organizations is to build an inclusive, positive workplace culture that achieves positive results. Doing so requires us to address how our individual behavior contributes to the culture. The truth is, we are all biased at times, and those biases can cause conflict and even toxicity in the workplace. Today, Dr. Janet Pilcher will discuss two cognitive biases we all experience from time to time and four ways to assess ourselves. This episode addresses questions, such as: How ...
Lead Through Mission and Values
May 06, 2021 08:00 - 21 minutes - 14.8 MBIt's no secret that higher ed hasn't worked at the speed of business. Yet the past year left institutions with no choice other than to transform - and transform quickly. This week, Georgia Southern University President, Dr. Kyle Marrero joins Janet to discuss how his institution has used its mission and values to maintain focus through the uncertainty. With accelerated communication, self-reflection and leadership transparency GSU invests in the success of people. This episode addresses q...
Symptoms of Low Emotional Intelligence
May 03, 2021 08:00 - 11 minutes - 8.21 MBDo you know someone who seems to be unable to control their emotions? Maybe you feel this way yourself at times. We all have varying degrees of emotional intelligence. Although it's difficult to face our challenges and shift our behaviors, it can be done. During today's episode, Dr. Janet Pilcher shares 9 Signs of Low Emotional Intelligence from Kendra Cherry via Very Well Mind as well as her own reflections about how we compensate for these behaviors. When we commit to a defined change in b...
Higher Education Isn't One Size Fits All
April 29, 2021 08:00 - 23 minutes - 16.2 MBHow do we maintain the momentum and elevate an already outstanding higher education institution? The way we've defined transformation in the past has been put to the test over the past year. Today's guest, South Louisiana Community College Chancellor, Dr. Vincent June, explains to become the best resource for his community takes more creativity than he anticipated. Listen as he shares about leading a multi-campus organization during a global pandemic, leadership transition, and transformatio...
We Are All Connected
April 26, 2021 08:00 - 6 minutes - 4.48 MBAlthough there are differences between rural and urban communities, many of our problems are the same. We are all interconnected as we are solving these critical issues in America. While Janet reflects on our Strengthening Rural America event, she explains, "the quality of life in our country is dependent on our ability to connect with each other and strengthen America." Our communities are relying on professionals in healthcare and education to create places where we care and love each othe...
Embrace the Call for Transformation in Higher Ed
April 22, 2021 08:00 - 20 minutes - 14.3 MBHow can higher education transform to inspire a new generation of learning, thinking, and imaginative invention? We can start by listening to those we serve and embracing the call for diverse learning and experiences to overcome the status quo. Today, Dr. Brendan Kelly, University of West Georgia President, joins Dr. Janet Pilcher to discuss the positive progress UWG has made despite a year of challenges, criticism, and anxiety. President Kelly shares the actions UWG is taking to position th...
The Harmful Effects of Absentee Leaders
April 19, 2021 05:00 - 9 minutes - 6.61 MBHave you ever worked with a leader who is physically there, yet psychologically absent? Someone who avoids ownership, meaningful engagement, and shifts the blame to others? This type of leader can be difficult, if not impossible to please - slowly killing productivity and engagement in the workplace. While an absentee leader's behavior may not come across as toxic, it can be more harmful than it appears on the surface. Today, Janet discusses the impact of absentee leadership and how we can ...
Now is the Time to be Bold and Courageous
April 15, 2021 08:00 - 17 minutes - 11.9 MBConversations about the need for transformation in education aren't new. However, this past year has demonstrated that transformation is possible - and at greater speeds than we ever realized. As we look ahead to the future of higher education, it's filled with both excitement and uncertainty. Today, Dr. Janet Pilcher is joined by Dr. Natalie Harder, President of Coker University, to discuss leadership, transformation, and the importance of integrity and excellence in higher education. Thi...
The Ingredients for a Winning Team
April 12, 2021 08:00 - 12 minutes - 8.51 MBLoyalty and trust go hand and hand. Great teammates have both loyalty OF the team and create loyalty TO the team. Listen as Janet shares insights from the article, Why Loyalty is Crucial to Basketball Excellence and how we can transfer those to our work teams. A good coach can't play the game with their team, but a good coach can set the team up for success. Create winning teams with the right talent and connections to become unstoppable. This episode addresses questions, such as: Why is ...
Refresh Strategic Goals to Move Forward
April 08, 2021 08:00 - 15 minutes - 11.1 MBStrategic plans and goals are created with the best intentions to propel an organization into the future. There are also situations that require us to refresh these goals and readjust the next steps. Today, Dr. Sue Savaglio-Jarvis, Superintendent of the third-largest school district in Wisconsin, Kenosha Unified School District, joins Janet to share how her leadership team made the decision to refresh their goals with a strong focus on measures to drive success. This episode addresses quest...
The Fragile Line Between Trust and Distrust
April 05, 2021 08:00 - 9 minutes - 6.33 MBAs leaders of teams and organizations, it is never our intent to create distrust. However, there are times when employees will observe our behavior and distrust can ensue. Today, Dr. Janet Pilcher, continues her thoughts from episode 163 Lead by Example, to reflect on what leader actions contribute to the deterioration of trust. This episode addresses questions, such as: What leader actions result in distrust? What leader actions build trust? How can employees best support their leaders...
One Team One Purpose: Rural America
April 01, 2021 08:00 - 16 minutes - 11.6 MBRural communities are inspiring places to live - people are always there to lend a hand and support one another through challenges and disasters. Rural communities also face unique challenges - the outmigration of talented workers, aging infrastructures, and consolidation into larger, less local systems. A Huron senior director, Tad Hunt, who oversees the rural and critical access segment, discusses with Janet how we can collaborate to overcome the challenges facing rural America, ultimately...
Lead by Example
March 29, 2021 08:00 - 8 minutes - 5.92 MBPeople in leadership and government roles, teachers, and sports coaches have one thing in common: their roles are positions of power. People look to leaders like these for inspiration and to provide guidance and direction. Just like leaders in society, if we say one thing and then do another, we may lose our team's trust in our organization. Today, Dr. Janet Pilcher reflects on the importance of organizational values and operationalizing these values into standards of excellence. This episo...
The Intersection of Healthcare and Education
March 25, 2021 09:00 - 19 minutes - 13.6 MBIn rural areas and small communities, we often find health and school systems are the largest employers. These industries are more alike than different in several ways. Today, Quint Studer and Janet Pilcher discuss the intersection between healthcare and education, and how these two industries have the power to transform their communities into successful, thriving places filled with talented workers. This episode addresses questions, such as: What is the symbiotic connection between healt...
5 Leadership Lessons for the Future
March 22, 2021 08:00 - 14 minutes - 10 MBAs we progress through phases of transitioning back into something that resembles life before the pandemic, people will need their leaders to lean into the emotional side of the workplace more than ever. This change won't happen overnight, rather we will move through stage after stage - each requiring us to build energy into our workplaces. To help teams thrive on the other side, Janet shares 5 lessons for leaders to carry into the future. This episode addresses questions, such as: What v...
Creating a Culture of Shared Leadership
March 18, 2021 09:00 - 22 minutes - 15.5 MBInspiring an entire organization of people to commit to continuous improvement and service excellence is an admirable goal - one that will also pay off through challenging situations. Returning from episode #158, three leaders from the School District of Menomonee Falls share how a foundational culture of shared leadership and consistent communication empowered people to collaborate and transform their school system. This episode addresses questions, such as: What does it look like when pe...
Blending the 80% Emotional 20% Rational
March 15, 2021 09:00 - 14 minutes - 9.96 MBChange is continuous, and in our organizations, leaders have the responsibility of balancing employees' emotions with the rational side of work. This past year has taught us that it's easier to lead with agility to manage change when we hardwire leadership fundamentals in our organizations. Today, Janet shares the foundational tools and tactics to advance our leadership and provides the framework we use to do just that - the Nine Principles for Organizational Excellence give teams an opportu...
Listen to People to Continuously Improve
March 11, 2021 10:00 - 19 minutes - 13.3 MBWhat happens when an organization committed to improvement has to transform everything they do in 5 days? People let go of being perfect and rely on their relationships, values, and communication to achieve results. Joining Janet today are three leaders from the School District of Menomonee Falls; Casey Blochowiak, Tina Posnanski, and Sue Lee. Listen as they share how their team has remained agile, aligned, and committed to SDMF's values, from the district, school, and classroom perspective....
158: Listen to People to Continuously Improve
March 11, 2021 10:00 - 19 minutes - 13.3 MBWhat happens when an organization committed to improvement has to transform everything they do in 5 days? People let go of being perfect and rely on their relationships, values, and communication to achieve results. Joining Janet today are three leaders from the School District of Menomonee Falls; Casey Blochowiak, Tina Posnanski, and Sue Lee. Listen as they share how their team has remained agile, aligned, and committed to SDMF's values, from the district, school, and classroom perspective....
DHP West Coast 2021 Kick Off
March 08, 2021 10:00 - 5 minutes - 4.18 MBAs the world continues to change at a rapid pace we need to help people in our organizations more than ever hardwire leadership fundamentals. To do so, we focus on the Nine Principles for Organizational Excellence. The best organizations continuously transform and review their practices to identify opportunities to improve, because we are only at our best when we strive for excellence in everything that we do. Today, Janet shares a preview of the Destination High Performance West Coast virtu...
157: DHP West Coast 2021 Kick Off
March 08, 2021 10:00 - 5 minutes - 4.18 MBAs the world continues to change at a rapid pace we need to help people in our organizations more than ever hardwire leadership fundamentals. To do so, we focus on the Nine Principles for Organizational Excellence. The best organizations continuously transform and review their practices to identify opportunities to improve, because we are only at our best when we strive for excellence in everything that we do. Today, Janet shares a preview of the Destination High Performance West Coast virtu...
Transform Culture with Communication
March 04, 2021 10:00 - 21 minutes - 14.6 MBWhat makes employees engage, commit, and connect with their organization? Leaders that listen and use feedback to transform the culture of the organization. Today's guest, Tim Hire, Superintendent of Schools, Tulare County Office of Education reminds us that there will always be plenty of work to do - make sure it's the right work. If your organization doesn't live by its values - that's a great place to start. Listen as Tim shares the process their team used to develop core values and brea...
156: Transform Culture with Communication
March 04, 2021 10:00 - 21 minutes - 14.6 MBWhat makes employees engage, commit, and connect with their organization? Leaders that listen and use feedback to transform the culture of the organization. Today's guest, Tim Hire, Superintendent of Schools, Tulare County Office of Education reminds us that there will always be plenty of work to do - make sure it's the right work. If your organization doesn't live by its values - that's a great place to start. Listen as Tim shares the process their team used to develop core values and brea...
Reduce Exhaustion with Time Batching
March 01, 2021 10:00 - 10 minutes - 7.34 MBHow can we leave our workdays feeling less stressed and exhausted? This is a common question for many leaders. After days filled with meetings and unexpected interruptions, there is often little time left over for deep-thinking or other critical tasks that contribute to our organization. In today's episode, Janet reflects on this challenge, sharing her own exhaustion and desire to manage time efficiently and productively. With gratitude for the advice from Mark Murphy, Janet shares the resea...
155: Reduce Exhaustion with Time Batching
March 01, 2021 10:00 - 10 minutes - 7.34 MBHow can we leave our workdays feeling less stressed and exhausted? This is a common question for many leaders. After days filled with meetings and unexpected interruptions, there is often little time left over for deep-thinking or other critical tasks that contribute to our organization. In today's episode, Janet reflects on this challenge, sharing her own exhaustion and desire to manage time efficiently and productively. With gratitude for the advice from Mark Murphy, Janet shares the resea...