NBOA President and CEO
Since January, the relentless news cycle has left many of us feeling overwhelmed — each headline, sound bite and social media post seems to bring a new wave of disruption. The atmosphere is charged with uncertainty, affecting every aspect of society. The challenges of U.S. economic tariffs and intense political rhetoric alongside the rapid advancement of generative AI all layer increased complexity into business planning. As leaders, we must continuously reassess our strategies in real time to navigate these evolving dynamics.
Fortunately, we can draw lessons from the past to help guide us through this moment with resilience and confidence. One such example is an MIT Sloan article, “In Times of Anxiety, Lead With ‘We’ and ‘Us,’” which was published a few months into the COVID pandemic. The article remains deeply relevant today, as it highlights the enduring power of collective leadership and shared purpose in navigating uncertainty.
Behavioral health expert and data scientist Paola Cecchi-Dimeglio outlines four key principles for supporting your faculty and staff during uncertain times. Below are a few standout insights that I believe hold valuable lessons for our independent schools today:
1. Take the pulse of workforce well-being.
Cecchi-Dimeglio recommends using quick, regular surveys or polls to help employers identify sources of employee stress. Many schools already do this well. For example, Lamplighter School in Dallas shared with Net Assets how their HR and business office collaborated to design an in-house employee survey, executed by IT, to assess workplace happiness. But formal surveys aren’t always necessary. In schools, we have the advantage of walking down the hall to check-in with colleagues and see how their day is going. Simple conversations can offer meaningful insights and have a positive impact on others.
2. Send updates that center on community, togetherness and shared goals.
Oftentimes, moments of uncertainty can create a paralyzing effect. I recall that during the Great Recession, when financial resources declined steeply, paralysis was commonplace within our schools and our families. Studies cited by Cecchi-Dimeglio have shown that using language grounded in “we” and “us” will help reinforce a sense of safety and moral support among employees. I’m confident that numerous schools already do this well, but it’s always worth taking a moment to reread your emails and check whether the language helps foster unity.
3. Help your faculty and staff understand where to focus their time and energy.
School leaders who help staff prioritize and stay focused can significantly boost overall productivity. Calendar reminders are a simple but effective way to reinforce goals. Starting the day with the calendar — not the inbox — helps shift attention from reacting to requests to intentionally supporting your school.
In a 2020 Net Assets article on fostering faculty resilience, licensed clinical psychologist Maria Sirois emphasized that educators are already stretched thin — teaching all day, attending meetings and submitting reports. Leaders can help by encouraging consistent restorative practices, whether that means covering for each other to take a ten-minute break or setting clear boundaries like, “No one needs to respond to emails after 6 p.m. unless it’s truly urgent.”
4. Encourage social interaction and highlight positivity.
During the early days of the pandemic, our focus was on helping newly remote faculty and staff connect — with many of us still mastering Zoom and learning how to unmute ourselves (I’m not too proud to admit that I’m still routinely tripped up by the mute and unmute feature of video conferencing). While virtual interaction is more familiar now, the core lesson still applies: Social connection is essential, especially in schools united by a shared mission and the common purpose of education.
Consider how you can spread positivity during challenging times. At NBOA, we post a light-hearted “Question of the Week” in our Microsoft Teams chat to spark conversation. Questions range from “What shows are you binge watching?” to “Which historical figure would you want as a mentor?” We also keep a “water cooler” channel open for sharing pet photos, travel tips and productivity hacks. These small touches help foster connection. While some may worry these chats are distractions, our experience shows they build connectedness without pulling focus from work.
As we navigate these transformative times, it's essential to remember that with every challenge comes an opportunity for growth, and even innovation. The rapid evolution of technology, including generative AI, offers us new tools to enhance our strategies and better serve our communities. By staying flexible and forward-thinking, we can turn uncertainty into a catalyst for positive change. Let's embrace the future with confidence and optimism, knowing that our collective efforts will lead to a better future. The past clearly demonstrates we can get through this together.
Follow NBOA President and CEO Jeff Shields on LinkedIn.
