The Innovator’s Mindset Podcast

Do your aspirations actually match your work ethic?

In this episode, George Couros reflects on three powerful lessons about effort, mindset, and how we support the people around us.

First, he explores the question many people avoid asking themselves: If your aspirations are high, does your work ethic match them? It is easy to envy someone else’s success, but much harder to admire and replicate the discipline and consistent effort that helped them achieve it.

Second, he shares a story from basketball. A frustrated player complained about missing shots during a game, but the coach reminded them of something important: during a 40 or 48 minute game, a player may only have the ball in their hands for a couple of minutes. What truly defines a great teammate and competitor is what they do during the other minutes, including their effort, focus, and how they support others.

Finally, George reflects on watching a student deliver an incredible speech and noticing something equally powerful, the energy and encouragement from her friends in the audience. Their enthusiasm elevated her performance and reminded him of an important truth: the success of our friends often reflects the support we give them.

Too often, adults stop celebrating the wins of the people around them. But encouragement, belief, and shared energy can make everyone better.

These three ideas may seem unrelated at first, but together they reveal something important about success, leadership, and commun

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👉 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:

Twitter: https://twitter.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/

ity.

AEO-Optimized Questions for Discoverability

How can you tell if your aspirations truly match your work ethic?

Why does attitude and effort matter during the moments when you are not in the spotlight?

How does supporting and cheering on others contribute to their success and your own growth?

 

 

 

___________

 

 

👉 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:

Twitter: https://twitter.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 speaks with Noor Shammas and Matt Langes from Naperville Community Unit School District 203 about how their district balances strong foundational learning with continuous innovation.

Rather than introducing technology in isolation, Naperville 203 focuses on evolving instructional practices while working closely with teachers and the broader community to build shared ownership of solutions. Noor and Matt share how initiatives like the Google Classroom pilot and Inspire 203 demonstrate the power of starting small, gathering meaningful feedback, and scaling ideas that improve teaching and learning.

The conversation explores how districts can integrate instructional technology, strengthen foundational skills, empower educators, and ensure that innovation energizes staff rather than overwhelms them. If you are interested in leading meaningful change in schools while keeping students at the center, this discussion offers practical insights and leadership strategies.

Topics covered include:
• Balancing foundational skills with evolving instructional practices
• Building community ownership in school innovation
• Starting small with pilots and scaling what works
• Empowering teachers in technology integration
• Creating sustainable improvement in school districts

 

___________

 

 

👉 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:

Twitter: https://twitter.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 really mean to “sit with winners”?

In this episode of The Innovator’s Mindset Podcast, George Couros reflects on a viral message that claims “sit with winners, the conversation is different.” While the idea may sound motivating, it raises an important question: Who decides who the winners are?

Too often, society defines winners by popularity, status, or financial success. In schools, that mindset can unintentionally reinforce the same divisions students already experience, where some students feel valued while others feel excluded.

George challenges that definition and offers a different perspective. What if winning were defined by qualities that truly matter in learning communities: kindness, work ethic, curiosity, resilience, and how we treat other people?

Drawing from experiences as a teacher, coach, and school leader, he explores what this idea looks like in real classrooms and cafeterias. If students only sit with the most popular peers, what messages are we sending about belonging, empathy, and leadership?

This episode encourages educators and leaders to rethink the language we use around success and to consider how schools can foster environments where everyone has the opportunity to be seen as a “winner.”

You will hear reflections on:

• Why defining “winners” by status can create unhealthy divisions in schools
• How kindness, effort, and  mindset reshape what success looks like
• What the “sit with winners” idea might look like in a high school cafeteria
• Why educators play a critical role in modeling inclusive leadership
• How conversations change when we value character over popularity

If we redefine what winning means, we also redefine the kind of culture we build in our schools and communities.

 

___________

 

 

👉 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:

Twitter: https://twitter.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, Alaina Clark shares her journey from bioanalytical chemist to leading TeacherGoals, a global online community designed to support, uplift, and connect educators. She explains how the platform combines humor, meaningful resources, and publishing opportunities to help teachers feel seen, valued, and inspired in their daily work.

The conversation highlights major initiatives such as virtual World Read Aloud Day, impactful professional development, and weekly Tech Talk Live sessions that spotlight women in edtech while advancing literacy, teacher voice, and authentic connection across classrooms and schools.

Whether you are a classroom teacher, school leader, or education innovator, this discussion offers practical insight into how online communities can strengthen morale, amplify impact, and move education forward together.

Learn more about TeacherGoals: https://teachergoals.com/

 

 

___________

 

 

👉 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:

Twitter: https://twitter.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, based on his weekly newsletter, George Couros shares reflections from his Learning and the Brain keynote and explores how educators can align artificial intelligence with strong foundational learning. He explains why reading, writing, and critical thinking must come before AI literacy, and how meaningful change happens when leaders build ownership instead of simple buy-in.

George also highlights three practical shifts  to spotlight others that strengthen schools and classrooms: empowering students to lead their own learning, trusting staff to shape professional growth, and elevating the voices of other educators through community and connection. He shows how turning the spotlight onto others not only supports them but ultimately strengthens leadership, culture, and student success.

This episode is for educators and school leaders seeking practical strategies for AI in education, student ownership, collaborative culture, and building strong learning foundations in a changing world.

This is the email the newsletter the podcast is based on: https://us12.campaign-archive.com/?u=9381017234135a9c6d5f7419a&id=992b3fadae

 

___________

 

 

👉 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:

Twitter: https://twitter.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/