The principalship is a calling steeped in paradox. It is a role of service, yet it can often feel isolating. As leaders, we navigate the balance of vision and strategy while seeking connection and collaboration. We crave the kind of creative partnership that defined the great songwriting duos—like Lennon and McCartney, Ann and Nancy Wilson, or Stevie Nicks and Christine McVie. These partnerships thrived on synergy, mutual respect, and a shared goal of creating something timeless.

For me, The Beatles’ creative dynamic has always been a source of inspiration. I’ve long yearned to be the Lennon to someone’s McCartney or the McCartney to someone’s Lennon, building something extraordinary with a thought partner. That kind of collaboration can feel like a salve for the loneliness that sometimes accompanies leadership. But as I reflected the other day, I realized I might not be destined to be part of the duo. My role is to ensure the conditions are right for these partnerships to thrive.

This epiphany came as I watched two teachers collaborate on a shared vision for our school’s culture. They were bouncing ideas off one another, refining strategies, and creating something beautiful in the process. In that moment, I realized: they were Lennon and McCartney. My role wasn’t to join their duo but to ensure they had the space, encouragement, and support to succeed.

George Martin, reflecting on his work with Lennon and McCartney, once said: “My job was to make it easier for them to express themselves and to capture that in the best way possible.” That wisdom resonates deeply with me as a principal. Leaders must recognize that collaboration is not about claiming the spotlight but about amplifying the voices of others. It’s about creating the conditions where creativity and synergy can flourish.

Every school faculty has the potential to be a great collaborative band like The Beatles. The role of the leader is to help that band find its rhythm and create its best work. This realization brought both clarity and peace. I may not be in the band, but I can help the band I serve become something extraordinary—a group defined by its collaboration, creativity, and profound impact.

Leaders must tune into these moments and reflect on the ways we cultivate collaboration in our schools. It’s not always about being part of the duo or the band. Sometimes, the most meaningful contribution is ensuring the band can play its best.

Four Ways Leaders Can Foster a Culture of Collaboration

1. Create a Shared Vision

Collaboration thrives when everyone rallies around a common goal. Build a vision that is clear, compelling, and rooted in the needs of your school community. Like Will Guidara’s team in Unreasonable Hospitality, bring people together to align their work with a shared purpose.

2. Honor and Empower Partnerships

Seek out and celebrate the Lennon-and-McCartney-like duos in your building. Create opportunities for those partnerships to deepen, whether through shared leadership roles, co-teaching models, or collaborative projects.

3. Provide Tools and Time

Collaboration doesn’t happen by chance; it requires intentional structures. Build time into schedules for teams to meet, reflect, and create together. Provide resources—whether it’s professional learning, materials, or guidance—that remove barriers to teamwork.

4. Reflect, Celebrate, and Elevate

Regularly highlight collaborative wins, both big and small. Reflection helps us learn and grow, while celebration fuels the energy to keep creating. Whether through shout-outs in staff meetings or sharing stories in a blog post, elevate those moments where synergy shines.

The bands we serve have the potential to be like The Beatles, and with thoughtful leadership, it can become a force for something extraordinary. And at the heart of it all is the belief that collaboration is the foundation of every masterpiece.

Let’s help our schools find their rhythm, their harmony, and their shared purpose. Together, we can lead the band and inspire greatness for the kids we serve.