An Imperfect Leader: The Superintendents and Leadership Podcast
Dr. Adam Swinyard on Public Education as a Promise and Relationships at the Core (Encore Episode)
An Imperfect Leader: The Superintendents and Leadership Podcast
Dr. Adam Swinyard on Public Education as a Promise and Relationships at the Core (Encore Episode)
0:0053:10
Episode Description
This past week has seen many of us in education trying to make sense of what the future holds. It’s for that reason, I wanted to bring back my conversation with Dr. Adam Swinyard, Superintendent of Spokane Public Schools and the 2023 Washington State Superintendent of the Year 🏆
Here are 🔑 highlights from this inspiring episode:
💡 Organizational Learning = Higher School Performance
Adam’s award-winning research found a clear correlation between principals who engage in organizational learning and better school outcomes. 🏫✨ He urges leaders to avoid quick fixes and instead diagnose issues within the full ecosystem of variables.
❤️🔥 Hiring for Emotional Intelligence
During the pandemic, Spokane Public Schools reimagined their principal hiring process around emotional intelligence 💬🤝. Forget fancy titles. They’re looking for leaders who build strong relationships. Why? Because, as Adam puts it, “everything orbits around relationships.” 🌍💡
🇺🇸 A Fierce Belief in Public Education
Adam Swinyard is unapologetic in his belief that public education is the great American promise 📜🌟. He speaks out against sensationalizing setbacks for political or profit-driven agendas, calling instead for honest, respectful dialogue across the education landscape. 🛠️🗣️
🎧 Tune in to hear a leader who approaches his work with vulnerability, conviction, and deep respect for educators and students alike.
#Leadership 💼 #PublicEducation 🍎 #Superintendent 🏫 #OrganizationalLearning 🔄 #EmotionalIntelligence 💖 #EducationLeadership 🌍 #Podcast 🎧 #AnImperfectLeader 🧭 #SystemsThinking 🧠
Follow Host Peter Stiepleman on:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-stiepleman-76004819a/
Website: https://imperfectleader.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/animperfectleader/
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@animperfectleader
——————————————————————————–
An Imperfect Leader is sponsored by Yondr.
Schools around the world are seeing the damaging effects of phones on student engagement, social development, and mental health.
Yondr has developed a unique product and program to allow schools to become phone-free, from arrival to dismissal.
Learn why 1 Million Students use Yondr every day.
MINIMIZE DISTRACTIONS. MAXIMIZE LEARNING POTENTIAL.
Go to https://www.overyondr.com/ to learn more.
——
An Imperfect Leader: Leadership in (After) Action is supported by ILAA, LLC, a firm dedicated to supporting aspiring, new, and established leaders. For more information, please find them at https://imperfectleader.com/
Music for An Imperfect Leader was written and arranged by Ian Varley.
Sam Falbo created our artwork, a wood-print inspired daruma doll butterfly.
Episode Details
- Status: Published
- Release Date: Jul 08, 2025
- Author: Dr. Peter Stiepleman
- Episode Type: full
- Season: 3
- Episode: 45
- Rating: Clean
File Info
- Size: 73 MB
- Duration: 00:53:10
- File Type: audio
- Codec: mp3
- Bitrate: 187.50 kbPs
- Sample Rate: 44100 Hz
- Upload Date: Jul 5th, 2025 10:06 PM
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| Apple Podcasts / Libsyn Classic Feed | Released | Jul 08, 2025 5:01am | Never |
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| iPhone/iPad App | Released | Jul 08, 2025 5:01am | Never |
| JioSaavn | Released | Jul 08, 2025 5:01am | Never |
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Episode Description
This past week has seen many of us in education trying to make sense of what the future holds. It’s for that reason, I wanted to bring back my conversation with Dr. Adam Swinyard, Superintendent of Spokane Public Schools and the 2023 Washington State Superintendent of the Year 🏆
Here are 🔑 highlights from this inspiring episode:
💡 Organizational Learning = Higher School Performance
Adam’s award-winning research found a clear correlation between principals who engage in organizational learning and better school outcomes. 🏫✨ He urges leaders to avoid quick fixes and instead diagnose issues within the full ecosystem of variables.
❤️🔥 Hiring for Emotional Intelligence
During the pandemic, Spokane Public Schools reimagined their principal hiring process around emotional intelligence 💬🤝. Forget fancy titles. They’re looking for leaders who build strong relationships. Why? Because, as Adam puts it, “everything orbits around relationships.” 🌍💡
🇺🇸 A Fierce Belief in Public Education
Adam Swinyard is unapologetic in his belief that public education is the great American promise 📜🌟. He speaks out against sensationalizing setbacks for political or profit-driven agendas, calling instead for honest, respectful dialogue across the education landscape. 🛠️🗣️
🎧 Tune in to hear a leader who approaches his work with vulnerability, conviction, and deep respect for educators and students alike.
#Leadership 💼 #PublicEducation 🍎 #Superintendent 🏫 #OrganizationalLearning 🔄 #EmotionalIntelligence 💖 #EducationLeadership 🌍 #Podcast 🎧 #AnImperfectLeader 🧭 #SystemsThinking 🧠
Follow Host Peter Stiepleman on:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-stiepleman-76004819a/
Website: https://imperfectleader.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/animperfectleader/
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@animperfectleader
——————————————————————————–
An Imperfect Leader is sponsored by Yondr.
Schools around the world are seeing the damaging effects of phones on student engagement, social development, and mental health.
Yondr has developed a unique product and program to allow schools to become phone-free, from arrival to dismissal.
Learn why 1 Million Students use Yondr every day.
MINIMIZE DISTRACTIONS. MAXIMIZE LEARNING POTENTIAL.
Go to https://www.overyondr.com/ to learn more.
——
An Imperfect Leader: Leadership in (After) Action is supported by ILAA, LLC, a firm dedicated to supporting aspiring, new, and established leaders. For more information, please find them at https://imperfectleader.com/
Music for An Imperfect Leader was written and arranged by Ian Varley.
Sam Falbo created our artwork, a wood-print inspired daruma doll butterfly.
