Standing Tall: Voices in Leadership
In a world that’s rapidly changing, great leadership stands out—and stands tall. Hosted by Randy Lindquist, Standing Tall dives deep into the stories of education’s GIANT leaders. Inspired by Isaac Newton’s quote, “If I see further than others, it’s because I stand on the shoulders of giants,” this podcast uncovers the wisdom, grit, and heart that drive exceptional school leaders. Each episode, Randy sits down with inspiring voices in education to dissect their leadership journeys, tease out practical lessons, and explore the challenges they’ve overcome. From bold innovations to everyday resilience, Standing Tall offers real-world insig...
The Best of Season 1 | 10 Lessons that Stick
In this special season finale, we revisit the most powerful insights, quotes, and lessons shared by the incredible leaders who joined us on Season 1 of Standing Tall. From mindset shifts to moments of courage, this highlight reel captures the heart of what it means to lead with purpose, authenticity, and vision. Whether you’re listening again or catching up for the first time, these are the takeaways worth holding onto.
The Legacy of Leadership | What I Learned from My Dad
In this special episode, we sit down with Superintendent Randy Lindquist and his father, former superintendent Larry Lindquist, for a heartfelt conversation about leadership, legacy, and the evolution of education. Spanning decades of public service, this father-son dialogue offers a glimpse into how the role of a school leader has changed—and what’s remained timeless. From the challenges of leading in different eras to the values that endure across generations, this episode celebrates commitment, adaptation, and the lasting impact of those who dedicate their lives to public education.
Whether you’re a veteran educator, an aspi...
Don’t Skip the Ending: How Great Leaders Finish Strong
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Why you should never “skip the ending”
How temporal landmarks influence memory and motivation (Daniel Pink – When)
How to build unforgettable peak moments (Chip & Dan Heath – The Power of Moments)
Why gratitude rewires your brain for better outcomes (Chase Mielke – The Burnout Cure)
The impact of crystal-clear vision on team resilience (the story of Hiroo Onoda)
How to help every team member feel connected to the mission (feat. JFK & the janitor who was “putting a man on the moon”)
Key Quotes:<...
Building Brave Cultures Starts with You
Guest: Dr. Debbie McFalone, Leadership Facilitator, Author, and Founder of Live Well, Lead Strong
Key Topics Covered:
Leadership Journey: Debbie shares pivotal moments from her career as a teacher, principal, superintendent, and now a full-time coach and consultant.
Core Values in Leadership: Learn why courage and integrity are non-negotiables in effective school leadership, and how to align your actions with your beliefs.
Mindful Leadership: Discover how self-awareness fuels trustworthiness and informed decision-making.
The Power of Reflection & a Personal Board of Directors: Debbie encourages leaders to reflect on their formation...
Happy Chickens Lay Eggs: Build a Thriving School Culture with Dr. Carmen Maring
Topics Discussed:
• Transitioning from counselor to administrator
• Building school culture through daily interactions and hiring
• The importance of belonging—for students, staff, and families
• The role of national networks in educational leadership
• “Happy chickens lay eggs”—why staff wellness matters
• Patrick Lencioni’s Hungry, Humble, Smart hiring model
• Why instructional leadership begins with clarity: What are we teaching? How are we teaching it?
• Work-life alignment and the glass vs. plastic ball metaphor
Don’t Tweak—Transform | A Blueprint for Future-Ready Schools
Big Takeaways:
• Radical Redesign Over Tinkering:
Real educational transformation requires rethinking school design from the ground up—not just tweaking existing models.
• Student-Centered, Real-World Learning:
Students should work on their world problems, not just “real world” problems, to make learning personally relevant and motivating.
• Flexible, Project-Based High School Models:
Purdue Polytechnic High School eliminated rigid schedules, prioritized projects, and created adaptable physical spaces that foster engagement.
• Strong Relationships Drive Outcomes:
Deep connections between staff and students are foundational to academic and personal success.
• Equity in...
Embracing Vulnerability: Building Trust When You Don’t Have All the Answers
Key Takeaways:
• Authentic Leadership: Discover the significance of leading with authenticity and how it fosters trust within educational communities.
• Navigating Financial Challenges: Learn strategies for making compassionate decisions during financial constraints.
• Fostering Collaboration: Understand the importance of uniting diverse school districts under a shared vision.
• Preparing for the Future: Explore methods to equip students for careers that don’t yet exist.
• Mentorship and Legacy: Reflect on the role of mentorship in shaping a lasting leadership legacy.
Resources Mentioned:
• Dr. Nick Ceglarek’s profile on Northwest Educati...
Tightening the Safety Net & Serving from the Heart
What You'll Learn:
The importance of servant leadership and why putting others first builds lasting trust.Strategies for effective community engagement and transparent communication.Practical tips on achieving intentional work-life balance as an educational leader.Insights on integrating technology, including AI, to enhance student learning and teacher-student relationships.The value of career-focused education initiatives and their role in preparing students for life after high school.Featured Quotes:
"Leadership always has to come from a heart of service—it's always about everybody else."
"You can't just tell people to take care of themselves. It ha...
Fueling a Positive Narrative in Your School & Two Rules that Change EVERYTHING
Episode Notes
Guest
Dr. Jeffrey Collier
Michigan’s 2024 Superintendent of the Year
Learn more about the award at gomasa.org
Episode Summary
Join us as Dr. Collier reveals how focusing on systems over goals can help you build unstoppable momentum, all through the lens of three powerful words: Serve. Innovate. Empower. Discover how these principles can reshape your leadership approach and your organization’s future. Plus, learn how spotlighting everyday wins can transform staff morale and community perception in remarkable ways.
Key Topics & Takeaways
Systems vs...
How Leaders Can Create Learning That Lasts with Nate McClennen
As the Vice President of Strategy and Innovation at Getting Smart, Nate has dedicated his career to helping schools rethink education to better serve students. In this conversation, Nate shares insights on:
• The importance of place-based, project-based, and problem-based learning.
• Why ‘soft skills’ should be reframed as ‘durable skills.’
• How technology and AI can support teachers in creating more meaningful learning experiences.
• The role of leadership in fostering an innovative school culture.
Key Takeaways
1. The Power of Place-Based Learning
• Connecting learning to the local environment enhances student e...
Personalized Learning and Leading with Vision with Dr. Cory Steiner
Key Topics Discussed:
• Personalized, Competency-Based Learning: Dr. Steiner explains the district’s shift from traditional education models to personalized, competency-based learning, focusing on meeting each student’s unique needs and pacing.
• Student and Community Engagement: The episode highlights the significance of involving students and the community in the transformation process, ensuring that changes reflect the values and expectations of all stakeholders.
• Leadership and Innovation: Dr. Steiner emphasizes the role of leadership in fostering a culture of innovation, including embracing vulnerability, building trust, and navigating ambiguity to drive meaningful change.
Resources Mentioned...
Envisioning Tomorrow: Empowering School Leaders to Shape the Future of Learning
Episode Show Notes
Podcast: Standing Tall: Voices in Leadership
Episode Title: Envisioning Tomorrow: Empowering Leaders to Shape the Future of Learning
Guest: Dr. David Richards, Executive Director of the Future of Learning Council
Episode Overview
In this episode, host Randy Lindquist engages in a compelling conversation with Dr. David Richards, the Executive Director of the Future of Learning Council (FLC). Dr. Richards shares his extensive experience in education and offers insights into creating personalized, competency-based learning environments that engage students and prepare them for the future.
Key Topics Discussed<...
Leading Change: Strategies to Transform Schools with Rebecca Midles
Connect with Randy Lindquist on LinkedIn
Connect with Rebecca Midles on LinkedIn
Learn more about Getting Smart
Resources Mentioned:
• Highland Academy Charter School: Formerly Highland Tech High School, the first standards-based school in the Anchorage School District.
• Reinventing Schools Coalition (RISC): An organization dedicated to transforming education systems to personalized mastery models.
• Lindsay Unified School District: A California district recognized for its performance-based learning approach.
• Future of Learning Council: A Michigan-based organization focused on defining learning to better meet the needs of students.
Receipts for Leadership: How Visionary Leaders Turn Values Into Results
Connect with Naomi Norman on LinkedIn
Connect with Randy Lindquist on LinkedIn
Key Topics Discussed
1. Critical Humility in Leadership
Naomi highlights the importance of embracing vulnerability and being open to feedback as a leader.
2. Grow Your Own Programs
Naomi discusses the Grow Your Own teacher recruitment initiative, a statewide effort to address teacher shortages by supporting paraprofessionals in becoming certified educators. Explore Michigan’s Talent Together initiative.
3. Equity in Education
A key focus of the episode is addressing inequities in career and technical ed...
Leading by Example: Building a Culture of Collaboration and Integrity
Leadership Journey: Tom shares his path to the superintendency, emphasizing the pivotal figures—“giants”—whose shoulders he stood on.
• Athletics and Leadership: Lessons from sports shaped his understanding of teamwork, resilience, and effective systems.
• Innovative Communication:
Tom focuses on meeting the community where they are with creative outreach methods.The role of vertical video, focus groups, and quick response tools in engaging families and receiving feedback.• Tom weaves together 30+ funding sources to support district initiatives and sustain improvements.
• Hands-On Leadership: Tom exemplifies a “lead from the front” mentality, taking on tasks from classroom clean...
Removing Barriers: How Leaders Empower Student Success
Dr. Selmon's Leadership Journey:
• From elite college wrestler to higher education leader across three states.
• Early leadership experiences as a wrestling team captain shaped his focus on accountability and teamwork.
The Role of Community Colleges:
• Gateway to higher education and career advancement.
• MCC’s impact on economic mobility and talent development.
• The importance of affordability, accessibility, and community relevance.
• Removing Barriers to Student Success:
• The creation of the Jayhawk Hub to address non-academic challenges like food insecurity and transportation.
• Partnership with 26 community organiza...
Tight Loose Leadership and Leading on The Shoulders of Giants
Tight Loose Leadership and PLC's
Richard DuFour on Tight Loose Leadership
Clear, non-negotiable theory of action (tight) and then encouraging autonomy and creativity within its parameters (loose)
