A reflection inspired by John Bonham, legacy, and the rhythm of leadership
#PrincipalLinerNotes
Special Thanks to Jimmy Casas and Lainie Rowell for their respective missions inspiring my gig! I am grateful that our PLN connections have evolved into sincere, lifelong friendships.
A very special thanks to my amazing wife, Deb, for being that constant source of love, inspiration, and strength every day! Thanks for inspiring Impact Visits!
A Soundcheck at Knebworth
It was just a soundcheck.
August 1979. Knebworth. A wide open field waiting to be filled with music. Led Zeppelin was preparing for a monumental return to the British stage. But as the band warmed up, it wasn’t John Bonham—the thunderous backbone of the band—behind the drum kit. It was his 13-year-old son, Jason.
In a rare and touching moment, Bonham stepped away from the drums and wandered into the field. He didn’t just want to hear the band; he wanted to listen from a distance. He stood alone, away from the stage, and let the sound wash over him. The rhythm of his legacy. His son’s rhythm.
There were no headlines. No fanfare. But there was something sacred in that quiet act: a father making space for the next generation, a rock legend becoming an audience member. Trust. Love. Legacy. It was all there in that field of amplifiers and dreams.
As a teenager, I remember reading about that moment in one of the many music biographies I devoured. It stuck with me. Especially knowing that John Bonham would pass away just over a year later. His son, Jason, would grow up to carry the torch—eventually joining surviving members of Led Zeppelin for reunion shows, most notably in the legendary 2007 performance captured on Celebration Day.
That soundcheck was more than rehearsal. It was legacy in action. It was impact. It was a leader stepping back—so something deeper could move forward.
Stepping Back for Impact
The response to my recent blog post, The Loneliness of Leadership, has been both humbling and healing. I wrote it to name and navigate the isolation I’ve felt in leadership—and to extend a hand to others who may be feeling the same. The heartfelt messages and outreach reminded me that we’re not as alone as we think. There is resonance when we share our truth.
This morning, I had the sincere honor of being a guest on Jimmy Casas’ podcast, The Interview Chair.
You can listen to that episode soon, but here’s what struck me during our conversation: Jimmy asked how I maintain mental health in leadership—especially after sharing my heart episode experience from last year. My answer came quickly: Impact Visits.
What Are Impact Visits?
Impact Visits are intentional moments carved out of the chaos. They’re brief detours in your day where you go and witness your leadership in motion—where the fingerprints of your work are making a difference.
Over the years of my principalship, my wife Deb would often tell me, especially on the hard days, “Go visit a classroom where you know it’s working.” She’d say it gently but with urgency—usually on the days when I was feeling discouraged, disconnected, or alienated. I didn’t always listen. I’d get swept up in the whirlwind of tasks and to-dos. But since my heart episode and my renewed focus on mental health, I’ve made it a point to follow her advice.
So, thank you, Deb. I know to listen to you now.
These are not evaluative visits. They’re not walk-throughs with clipboards and checklists. They’re personal moments—to be reminded, to be renewed. A time to refuel your spirit and reconnect to why you said yes to this work in the first place.
If you can, use these visits as a chance to connect. To offer a word of thanks. A fist bump. A simple “You’re doing great.” As my friend Lainie Rowell reminds us in her #EvolvingWithGratitude mission—gratitude is a powerful act of leadership. A little goes a long way.
Four Ways to Make Impact Visits Happen
- Schedule Intentionally
Block time on your calendar each week. Just 10–15 minutes to step into a classroom, a hallway, or the front line of your impact. - Make It Routine
Ritual turns into rhythm. If you make Impact Visits a part of your leadership practice, they’ll become the pause that powers your next move. - Share the Visit
Reflect on your visits with a thought partner or friend. If you don’t have someone, you’re welcome to reach out to me. I’d be honored to be that listening ear: sgaillard84@gmail.com - Encourage Others
Inspire your team, your assistant principals, or even colleagues in your PLN to create their own version of Impact Visits. Help build a culture of reflection and renewal.
Your Beat Still Matters
Leadership is not a sprint of perfection. It’s a series of riffs—some raw, some refined. We owe it to ourselves and those we serve to keep our rhythm aligned with our core values.
So, take that walk. Stand in that hallway. Listen to the beat that’s still echoing from something you once helped shape.
Because even in the quiet moments—maybe especially in the quiet moments—we find proof that we’re still making a difference.
Keep your beat.
Leadership Liner Notes: Sean Gaillard 