There are moments in leadership—more than we care to admit—when it feels like leadership isn’t there for you.
You stand in a room and no one greets you. No one looks up. No one notices.
You offer ideas, vision, care—and it’s met with silence, or worse, indifference.
You give your best self and sometimes receive no acknowledgment in return.
The gig is tough. The gig is lonely. The gig will ask you to keep showing up, especially when the room grows quiet. And sometimes, it stays quiet.
And yet—we still walk in.
Why?
Because we’re human.
Because we crave meaning.
Because we want to belong just like anyone else.
I carry what my father taught me in these moments: Hold your head high. Even when no one seems to see you. Especially then.
And so, I look for the small things.
The fleeting glances. The quiet nods. The invisible applause.
Those moments when you know—deep in your gut—that you’re still in the groove.
I remember those moments when I played in bands. We’d be deep into a tune, and someone across the band space would catch my eye and offer a knowing smile. Just a look. A small moment that said, We’ve got this.
There’s a video I love of the Dave Brubeck Quartet performing Take Five. During Joe Morello’s legendary drum solo, Brubeck stops playing. He turns from the piano—not to take center stage, but to watch. To admire. To honor. No words. Just presence.
The Beatles did it, too. During that final rooftop concert, even amid the tension, they stole glances. Smiles. They saw each other. And they saw Billy Preston, too—playing keys right alongside them, lifting the sound, lifting the moment.
Even as the world watched from the streets below, the real audience wasn’t the crowd down there—it was amidst the band.
That’s what keeps me going in leadership—the small, true things.
A student’s unexpected smile.
A teacher’s thank-you whispered in the hallway.
A quiet moment where someone sees you—and maybe, just maybe, you see them too.
We may not always receive the applause. But we can give it.
We can be the nod.
We can be the smile.
We can be the Dave Brubeck who turns his head in full admiration.
We can be the Beatle who shares a grin in the middle of the chaos.
Those small moves? They matter.
They are leadership.
And when the room is quiet—lead anyway.
You never know who might be listening for your cue.
In an old comic book from my childhood, there’s a powerful image that has always stayed with me. It was an issue of Detective Comics that told the origin story of Batman. A young Bruce Wayne walks into Wayne Manor, ready to begin his hero’s journey. As he enters, his shadow stretches behind him—not as a boy, but as the full-formed silhouette of Batman. It was a simple panel, but it carried a profound truth: even in our earliest steps, the shadows of our future potential are already taking shape.
This image made me think about our calling as educators. Every day, we walk alongside students and teachers who are living their own origin stories. Some are just starting out, unsure of who they are or where they belong. Yet within them, we can glimpse the shadows of what they may become—leaders, artists, scientists, changemakers, or quiet heroes who make the world better in unseen ways.
This week is Teacher Appreciation Week, a moment to celebrate the educators who see those shadows before anyone else does. Teachers have a remarkable gift—a kind of superpower. They tune into the potential of their students and help them believe in it, even when the students can’t yet see it for themselves. Our teachers transform the impossible into the possible. They are not just instructors; they are cultivators of hope.
As school leaders, we are called to be architects of that hope. Our job is to build cultures where teachers are empowered to do their best work—where they can create the conditions for students to discover who they are meant to be.
I’ll never forget my fifth-grade teacher, Mrs. McMonagle. I was a new student, the only Black child in the class, adjusting to a new school in a new state. I felt lost—alienated, unsure, and afraid. But Mrs. McMonagle saw something in me that I couldn’t see in myself. She created a space where I felt seen and welcomed. She introduced me to the joy of writing, literature, and even encouraged my growing love for The Beatles. She pushed me, challenged me, and inspired me. I am forever grateful for the way she believed in me and gave me a sense of belonging.
Everyone carries the shadow of future potential. Teachers have a special sense for detecting those shadows and helping students realize the greatness within them. This week, and every week, let’s honor and celebrate that gift.
Here’s to the ones who chose to build trajectories of hope in our classrooms. Here’s to the ones who see the future before it arrives.
I’ve written and rewritten this blog post countless times in my mind. It has been weighing on my heart, especially after navigating a week filled with a few setbacks. Nothing catastrophic, but still moments of dejection that linger. One of those moments was particularly difficult: an idea I had for a collaborative book was taken in a new direction—without me.
As someone who values collaboration and the joy it brings, I’ve learned that I need to be more mindful of whom I choose to collaborate with. Seeing my work and ideas rebranded as someone else’s originality hurt deeply. It stung because the creative journey is already fraught with battles against Imposter Syndrome and anxiety. These emotions creep in especially when I venture into new creative territory: Will it be good enough? Will people understand what I’m trying to do? When someone else quickly disinvites you from a project and takes it solo, it’s a painful reminder of the delicate steps needed to protect your own creative vision.
Late last year, I thought I had cracked the code on a follow-up to my first book, The Pepper Effect. I had an outline, a vision, and an unshakable drive. But that momentum fizzled as life threw its challenges my way. Stress, high blood pressure, and self-doubt culminated in a health scare that landed me in the hospital. It was a wake-up call. With the support of my incredible wife, my family, my therapist, and my faith, I began to rebuild—both physically and emotionally. Part of that rebuilding process involved reconnecting with my writing. Blogging weekly became my creative anchor, a way to keep my writing muscles intact and grooving. Each blog post has been a step forward, a way to regain confidence and prepare myself for the marathon of writing another book.
The recent letdown with the collaborative book idea is a chapter I’m reframing not as failure, but as a lesson learned. It’s a reminder to trust my vision, something I wrote about extensively in The Pepper Effect. Sure, it stings to see accolades being given for an idea that I helped shape, but as Mel Robbins writes in The Let Them Theory, I can’t let other people’s actions control my journey. Let them take their version of the idea, I tell myself. Let me move forward with my vision. And as my therapist often reminds me, “…and that’s okay.”
When I need inspiration, I return to The Beatles. They are my creative North Star. My first book explored how their story is a template for creativity, collaboration, and innovation. My follow-up book, which I’m calling The Let It Be Effect, will continue in that vein, diving into the Get Back/Let It Be era. If you’ve followed me on social media, read my blogs, or listened to my podcasts, you’ve seen glimpses of this concept. The Let It Be Effect will build on the four tenets of The Pepper Effect (Believe in your vision, Believe in your masterpiece, Believe in your collaborators, Ignore the Naysayers), but it will also introduce something new: the idea of the Rooftop Moment.
The Rooftop Moment is inspired by the Beatles’ legendary final live performance in January 1969. During the recording of what would become the Let It Be album, the band faced immense challenges. They hadn’t performed live in three years, there were creative differences, and at one point, George Harrison even quit the band. Despite all this, they decided to perform—not in a grand concert hall, but on the rooftop of their Apple Corps headquarters in London. It was a cold January day, and the decision to perform wasn’t finalized until the last minute. According to director Michael Lindsay-Hogg, John Lennon’s decisive words were, “F— it—let’s go do it.”
And they did. The Beatles, joined by keyboardist Billy Preston, walked up to the rooftop and made history. That performance became their iconic Rooftop Concert, a moment of creative triumph amidst doubt and adversity. It was the final time they performed live together, and it remains a testament to the power of taking bold action despite uncertainty.
The Rooftop Moment is about just that: taking a dynamic leap of creative courage when the odds feel overwhelming. It’s about playing your gig, painting your masterpiece, or writing your book, even when doubt tries to hold you back. The Beatles ignored convention and their own self-doubts to create something unforgettable. I know I need to do the same with my follow-up book.
Let the critics and naysayers have their opinions. Let them. As for me, I’ll aim for my Rooftop Moment—that decisive act of putting my creativity into the world, no matter what. I’ll let the inspiration flow and trust that what I create will resonate with those who need it most. And that’s okay.
I hope this inspires you to find your own Rooftop Moment. Whether it’s a project you’ve been hesitant to start, a challenge you’re ready to face, or a dream you’ve been quietly nurturing, remember: the world is waiting for your masterpiece. Let it be.
Four Moves to Create Your Rooftop Moment:
Lead with Vulnerability: Share your passion or a creative idea with your team or community, even if it feels risky. Vulnerability fosters connection and courage. For me, this was bringing my guitar to school and sharing a song I wrote based on our school’s core values during grade-level assemblies. It was risky, but it created a memorable and inspiring moment for my students and staff.
Model Risk-Taking: Show your team that it’s okay to step outside their comfort zones by doing it yourself. Whether it’s trying a new teaching strategy or presenting an innovative idea, your example can inspire others to embrace risks.
Create Space for Creativity: Provide opportunities for your staff and students to experiment and express their ideas. This could be through collaborative brainstorming sessions, innovation labs, or simply encouraging them to bring their unique talents to the table.
Celebrate the Journey: Acknowledge the effort and courage it takes to create something new, even if the outcome isn’t perfect. Recognizing progress builds momentum and reinforces the value of the creative process.
Sometimes you have to aim for what I call that Rooftop Moment—that moment where you take a move for dynamic creative action amidst overwhelming odds and you simply play your gig, paint your masterpiece, write your book. The Beatles ignored convention and their own self-doubts and applied the Let Them theory in their own way. I know I have to do the same in writing my book follow-up because I know I have another book in me and that’s ok.
Boxing Day holds a special place in my heart. While it’s not widely celebrated in the United States, it marks a moment of reflection, creativity, and gratitude in my life. It’s a day that intertwines two of my great passions: my love of The Beatles and the power of small, intentional moves that ripple into something greater.
On December 26, 1967, The Beatles unveiled their BBC-TV film Magical Mystery Tour. At the time, critics dismissed the project as an odd misstep in the band’s otherwise stellar career. Yet, over the decades, it has transformed into a beloved piece of their psychedelic era—a testament to their willingness to embrace creativity and collaboration, undeterred by the opinions of naysayers.
This day also marks what I call my “Magical Mystery Tweet,” a small action that changed the course of my life. About eight years ago, while observing my personal Boxing Day tradition of watching Magical Mystery Tour, I posted a simple tweet:
“Happy Boxing Day. Happy Magical Mystery Tour Day.”
I included a picture of my well-loved DVD copy of the film, celebrating my fandom and connection to the enduring magic of The Beatles. It was a small, seemingly inconsequential act of sharing.
But something extraordinary happened. Nicole Michael of 910 Public Relations noticed that tweet and responded to it. That response ignited a journey that ultimately led to the publication of my first book, #ThePepperEffect, through the incredible vision of Dave Burgess. What began as a casual celebration of The Beatles evolved into an opportunity to share my ideas with educators worldwide.
Since its release in 2018, #ThePepperEffect has inspired educators to “think outside the box” and create collaborative, Beatles-inspired magic in their schools. I’ve had the honor of sharing its message as a keynote speaker at conferences and have even seen it adapted into a stage production by a school drama club in Canada. One small tweet sparked a movement that continues to connect, inspire, and transform.
This experience taught me a valuable lesson: you never know what impact your creative expression will have when you share it with the world. The Beatles, despite criticism, embraced their creative impulses, and their willingness to take risks gave us masterpieces that resonate across generations. We can do the same when we dare to share our gifts, no matter how small they may seem.
Four Actions to Embrace Creativity and Share Your Voice
Celebrate Your Passions Honor the things that bring you joy and inspire you. Whether it’s music, art, or storytelling, your enthusiasm can spark connections and creativity in others.
Take Small Steps Share a tweet, write a blog post, or create something that reflects your authentic self. It doesn’t have to be perfect—it just has to be real.
Seek Collaboration The Beatles created their masterpieces through collaboration. Surround yourself with others who uplift and challenge you. Great things happen when we build together.
Ignore the Critics Like Magical Mystery Tour, your work might not resonate with everyone at first. That’s okay. Stay true to your vision and trust in the process.
As educators and leaders, we have the power to inspire those around us through our creativity and vulnerability. We all have a masterpiece within us waiting to be shared. My journey, sparked by a single tweet, is proof that even the smallest action can create waves of change.
This Boxing Day, as I watch Magical Mystery Tour again, I’ll reflect on the gratitude I have for that tweet, for the connections it brought, and for the inspiration it continues to provide.
Dare to share your voice. You never know whose life you might change—including your own.
An idea I had nurtured and built was dismissed. The specifics of the idea are not important for this blog. What matters is that I had a vision for the schoolhouse that wasn’t embraced by the faculty I served. This is a familiar scenario when you sit in the principal’s chair—you have an idea that energizes you and perhaps others. You see some momentum, but for various reasons, the idea fizzles out. It’s part of the leadership journey. Some ideas gain traction, while others don’t. I accept the responsibility for the failure of an idea to take hold. Maybe I didn’t communicate the ‘why’ compellingly, or perhaps my own arrogance hindered capacity-building with others. Regardless, we invest passion into our ideas. When we push beyond the mundane tasks and have-tos as school leaders and our passion isn’t accepted, it’s a challenge not to take it personally.
I bounced back from this setback. It wasn’t the first time my leadership heart had cracked, and it wouldn’t be the last. There would be future successes and failures. What made this particular loss resonate was the profound sense of loneliness. The principal gig is isolating as it is, but feeling the rejection of a cherished idea made it especially painful. At that time, my usual network of thought partners wasn’t available. I had to endure this one alone and dig deeply into my core to carry on.
Eventually, I was able to connect with a trusted thought partner. That person was able to listen to me, ask critical questions, and empower me to get back at it. I was fortunate that I had someone to help me navigate through the leadership blues and help me recalibrate my course.
Not every school leader has this resource. A 2022 study from NASSP cites that 77% of principals in the US desire to connect with other leaders facing similar challenges. School leaders faces many challenges alone bereft of authentic and consistent support.
The Loneliness of Leadership
They don’t teach you enough in “principal school” about how lonely leadership can be. That’s why nurturing your core as a leader and keeping your loved ones close is essential. It’s also crucial for school leaders to be open to coaching. Despite the title and position, no amount of status should make us look down on the need for a network of thought partners and coaching. School systems must develop intentional coaching networks for leaders due to the loneliness, anxiety, and fatigue that often accompany leadership roles. I’ve been fortunate to have valued thought partners and coaches in various leadership assignments. It’s vital that we, as leaders, find those trusted voices to harmonize with and share our thoughts, fears, and ideas. Every leader needs a coach, and there are many pathways to find one if your school district doesn’t provide one. Tapping into a Professional Learning Network is one way to find helpful school leaders willing to share their expertise.
The Power of Coaching
Coaching is essential for sustaining momentum and balance in a leadership role. We must be open to and accept the strengths of others to fill our buckets. Coaching helps us navigate the complex landscape of leadership, providing us with the tools to overcome challenges and celebrate successes. An effective coach offers a fresh perspective, helping us see our blind spots and areas for growth.
Three Ways for School Leaders to Seek Out Coaching Support
Join a Mastermind Group
Mastermind groups bring together like-minded leaders who support and challenge each other to grow. These groups provide a safe space to share ideas, seek advice, and gain new insights.
Engaging in a book study with fellow leaders allows for deep dives into relevant topics and provides a structured way to learn and discuss new concepts. It also fosters a sense of community and shared purpose.
Resource:ASCD Book Study Groups provide opportunities to explore educational leadership books with peers.
3. Utilize Virtual Coaching
Virtual coaching offers flexibility and access to a wide range of experts. Whether through video calls, webinars, or online courses, virtual coaching can provide valuable support and guidance tailored to your specific needs.
Resource:BTS Spark offers a wealth of resources and opportunities for individualized coaching.
Specific Resources for Coaching Support
The National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP)
NAESP offers mentoring programs, professional development resources, and a supportive community for elementary school leaders seeking guidance and support.
2. The Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD)
ASCD provides numerous professional development opportunities, including book studies, webinars, and conferences that can help school leaders grow and connect with others.
3. The International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE)
ISTE offers resources and professional learning opportunities focused on integrating technology in education, supporting school leaders in leveraging digital tools for effective leadership.
4. The National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP)
NASSP provides leadership resources, professional development, and a network of support specifically for secondary school leaders.
5. BTS Spark
BTS Spark offers coaching and leadership development programs tailored for educators, focusing on personal and professional growth.
Leadership is a journey filled with sublime peaks and ponderous valleys. Embracing coaching can make the journey less lonely and more enriching. By seeking out coaching support, we sharpen our saw, maintain our leadership core, and continue to grow and inspire those we lead. In this ever-shifting landscape of Education especially felt with the onset of AI, it is vital for school leaders to have needed support.
I invite you to share your resources and ideas in the comments for this blog post. Let’s learn and grow together.
Leadership Liner Notes: Sean Gaillard 