The Elephant in the Room

Leaders, We Need to Talk

There are moments in schools when everyone feels something heavy in the room, yet nobody names it. Picture a staff meeting where the energy feels off; you can cut the tension with a knife. People smile, nod, and take notes, but the room feels tight. Outside pressures that walk through the front doors with us every morning. Policies, mandates, and public rhetoric do not stay on paper. They show up in classrooms, hallways, and faculty lounges. Ignoring that reality does not protect culture. It strains it. A difficult conversation needs to happen, and a strong culture depends on our courage to start it.

Naming the Elephant Without Making It Political

Every school has an elephant in the room. The elephant has no name, and feeding it donuts does not solve the problem. Educators feel pressure from outside forces that question their professionalism, decision-making, and even the value of the work. When leaders avoid this topic, silence fills the gap. Silence breeds frustration, confusion, and distrust.

Culture improves when leaders name what people experience day-to-day. That does not mean debate or argument. It means acknowledgment. Saying, “I know you feel this pressure too,” fosters trust. Educators do not ask leaders to fix every policy. They invite leaders to see them, hear them, and respect the weight they carry. Naming the elephant lowers anxiety and builds trust across the building.

How Silence Damages Climate and Culture

When people do not talk about what affects them professionally, those feelings leak into daily interactions. Teachers play it safe. Creativity fades. Risk-taking stops. Classrooms shift toward compliance instead of commitment. Students feel it even when adults think they hide it well. Kids notice tone, energy, and body language. A student asking, “Are you okay?” tells the whole story.

Silence also shifts staff culture. Conversations move underground, hallway whispers replace healthy dialogue, morale drops, and burnout takes root. Culture never stays neutral. It either grows stronger or weaker. Silence always pulls it in the wrong direction.

Leadership Moves That Strengthen Culture

Leadership does not require answers to every problem. It requires creating space for honest conversations. Leaders can say, “Some heavy topics may come up. We can talk.” Offering optional spaces for dialogue, such as a brief after-school gathering or a virtual option, encourages open, honest discussions about challenging issues, fostering trust and a culture of openness.

Repetition matters. One invitation does not shape culture. Consistent invitations shape trust. Culture grows through repeated actions over time. When staff see leaders create space again and again, they believe the invitation feels real.

Supporting Teachers Without Turning Classrooms Into Therapy Rooms

Teachers carry personal lives, professional demands, and outside pressures into school every day. They also carry joy, humor, and purpose. The goal is to give adults space to release pressure so they can lead with clarity and creativity, not to turn classrooms into group counseling sessions. 

When teachers feel heard, joy returns faster. Lessons gain energy. Relationships deepen. Students benefit from educators who feel supported rather than silenced. This connection between adult culture and student experience never breaks.

Practical Ways This Conversation Improves Climate

Acknowledgment builds trust.
 

Trust builds collaboration.
 

Collaboration fuels innovation.
 

Innovation strengthens the climate.
 

The chain reaction starts with one honest conversation.

Leaders control culture even when they do not control policy. Teachers control classroom climate even when they do not control mandates. Focusing on what remains within reach restores agency. Agency fuels motivation. Motivation drives impact.

Microcultures matter too. Grade-level teams, departments, and support groups shape the broader culture, and strengthening these smaller spaces multiplies positive energy across the building.

Standing Tall Through Hard Conversations

Strong culture does not require comfort. It requires courage. Leaders who face hard topics with empathy and professionalism empower staff to feel resilient and capable. Courage enables honest dialogue, strengthening trust and collective resilience.

Every school has an elephant in the room. Naming it does not weaken leadership; it strengthens trust. Culture and climate improve when people feel seen, heard, and supported, especially during hard seasons. 

Leaders, let’s Stand Tall, talk, listen, and remember that when adults feel supported, students thrive.

Standing Tall Through It All

Administrators who want their staff to face challenges with confidence, resilience, and purpose will find exceptional value in bringing Standing Tall Through It All to their district. This keynote and professional development session delivers practical, actionable strategies that help educators not only navigate challenges but also turn them into opportunities for growth. Challenges within education are inevitable, whether they involve shifting policies, evolving student needs, or unexpected circumstances. Steve guides participants to reframe these challenges, take ownership of their response, and emerge with renewed energy and stronger resolve.

Through his engaging, motivational approach, Steve equips educators and leaders with the mindset and tools to turn obstacles into stepping stones. This session inspires staff to see themselves as capable, adaptable problem-solvers who can thrive even in demanding circumstances. Administrators who want to build a culture of resilience, motivation, and forward momentum will see immediate benefits from Steve’s message. Standing Tall Through It All empowers teams to unite, stay focused, and keep moving toward success, no matter what comes their way.

The message of Stand Tall Leadership is simple yet powerful. Tall people stand out, not because of height, but because of mindset and action. Effective leaders think differently, communicate intentionally, and model behaviors that others want to follow. The book reminds readers that leadership does not depend on a title or years of experience. It depends on daily choices, relationships, and the courage to lead with purpose.

Designed specifically for K–12 leaders, this book offers practical guidance that educators can apply immediately. Readers gain tools to overcome challenges, manage effectively, inspire staff, and build strong relationships rooted in trust and respect. 

Stand Tall Leadership serves as both a guide and a mirror. It challenges educators to reflect on how they show up each day while offering clear strategies to grow as leaders. For administrators and educators who want to elevate school culture and lead with confidence, this book belongs on their professional bookshelf. Get your copy today!

 Gang, here is the truth: most people do not know where to begin or how to grow professionally as a trainer or consultant. That is why Within Our Ranks exists. We guide educators to become respected speakers, trainers, and consultants. We take your expertise, your voice, and your story, and we give you the tools to share them with impact. 

The next three-day retreat will be in Orlando, Florida, on February 20-22, 2026.  These retreats give you immersive support, hands-on practice, and access to a powerful community of educator-speakers who support one another.

If you are interested in becoming a speaker, let’s talk. Visit WithinOurRanks.com to learn more about the program and register for one of our community events (next meeting: January 29th). Schedule a discovery call with Megan to discuss your goals and how the program can help you achieve them.

We are proud to announce that this episode is sponsored by Within Our Ranks, a dynamic program created for teachers and administrators who want to become educational speakers, trainers, or consultants. If you have a voice, message, or passion to share beyond the walls of your classroom or school, this is the program for you.

Want to lead breakout sessions, keynotes, or create impactful professional development? Join our supportive network of educators who also want to grow, serve, and inspire. Founded by an NSA Certified Professional Speaker, Within Our Ranks provides expert guidance, community, and real opportunities to help you step confidently into the world of educational consulting with the guidance of coaches and me. Participants refine their message, grow their speaking skills, and learn the business side of becoming a professional educator or speaker beyond the classroom.