The Innovator’s Mindset Podcast

What does it look like when a CEO models the same learning, risk-taking, and growth she hopes to see throughout her organization?

In this episode of The Innovator’s Mindset Podcast, George Couros speaks with Brittany Lewis, CEO of Haven Schools, about creating a culture where high expectations for students are matched by a willingness to keep learning and improving as adults.

Brittany shares how her own visibility as a learner matters. Rather than asking others to take risks from the sidelines, she puts herself up front, tries new things, and demonstrates that growth requires a willingness to be vulnerable, reflect, and improve. Her example helps create the conditions for staff to take risks in their own learning and find better ways to serve students.

The conversation also explores an important question about change: Do we initiate change, or do we wait for change to happen to us? When we take an active role in creating change, we are better positioned to shape what comes next instead of simply reacting to it.

This episode is a conversation about high expectations, leadership, organizational learning, risk-taking, and the power of modeling the growth we hope to see in others.

Learn more about Haven Schools.

Questions for Reflection:

How do leaders model the learning and risk-taking they hope to see in others?

How can high expectations for students be matched by high expectations for adult learning and growth?

Where might we initiate change instead of waiting for change to happen to us?

___________

 

 

👉 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/

Have you ever found yourself spending more energy focused on critics than on the people who have supported you all along?

In this episode of The Innovator’s Mindset Podcast, George Couros explores a powerful shift in perspective: moving from the desire to prove doubters wrong to the commitment to prove believers right.

Inspired by a comment from NBA player Jared McCain, George reflects on how encouragement from one educational leader changed the trajectory of his career and why the people who believe in us often deserve more of our attention than the people who don't. Through personal stories, lessons from leadership, and reflections on gratitude, purpose, and growth, this conversation explores a different kind of motivation, one rooted in honoring opportunity rather than responding to criticism.

Whether you're an educator, leader, parent, or someone navigating a challenging season, this episode is a reminder to recognize those who have invested in you and to use that belief as fuel for growth.

Questions for Reflection and Conversation:

When facing criticism or setbacks, do you spend more time focused on proving doubters wrong or proving supporters right?

Who are the people who believed in you during a pivotal moment in your life, and how has their support influenced your journey?

How might your mindset, work, or leadership change if gratitude toward your supporters became a greater source of motivation than criticism from others?

___________

 

👉 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 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?

 

___________

 

👉 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.”

 

___________

 

 

👉 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/