What 30+ Years in the Superintendency Taught Dr. Dennis Peterson About Leadership Today

In this week’s episode of An Imperfect Leader: The Superintendents and Leadership Podcast, we sit down with veteran superintendent Dr. Dennis Peterson to explore the shifting landscape of school leadership over the decades. 👇

💡 Key Insights:

🔄 Leadership Has Evolved: From autocratic to inclusive, with school boards now at the center of decision-making.

🧭 Courageous, Inclusive Leadership Matters: Superintendents must proactively build trust with boards, unions, and the broader community.

🏫 Strategic Open Enrollment: Dennis shares how Minnetonka used open enrollment to grow enrollment, expand programs, and better serve students.

🔍 Lessons from Mistakes: A bond issue in Rockwood, MO taught the importance of diverse input and financial agility.

🎧 Tune in for wisdom from a leader who’s seen—and shaped—the evolution of public education.

Follow Guest Dennis Peterson on:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dennis-peterson-11775616/

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

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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.

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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.

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 overyondr.com to learn more.

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Empat Speech. Empowering students. Empowering Schools.

An Imperfect Leader: The Superintendents and Leadership Podcast is supported by ILAA, LLC, a firm dedicated to supporting aspiring, new, and established leaders. For more information, please find them at www.human-centeredleaders.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.