The Principal's Handbook

Setting the Tone for a Positive Leadership Mindset for Principals

Get 20% of The 8 to 4 Principal Blueprint HERE.What if the tone of your entire building started with the thoughts you practice every day? In this episode of The Principal’s Handbook, we’re digging into how your core beliefs—about yourself, your staff, and your students—shape the way you lead. Your mindset is the emotional filter for your entire building, and often the thoughts running in the background are the ones driving your actions.You’ll learn how to identify the beliefs influencing your leadership, reframe unhelpful thought patterns, and choose new thoughts that create confidence, calm, and clarity. We’ll walk through simple reflection prompts to help you reset your mindset as you head into the second half of the school year. If you want to lead with intention and set a positive tone for your building, this episode will show you where to begin.Get free resources at principalfreebies.comCheck out my courses at the8to4principal.com

Resetting Tier 1 Behavior Supports After Winter Break

Get 20% of The 8 to 4 Principal Blueprint HERE.Does your school need a reset on behavior after the break? January is the perfect time for principals to pause, reflect, and reset Tier 1 behavior supports—before small issues turn into daily fires. In this episode of The Principal’s Handbook, Barb Flowers walks you through how to treat January like a fresh start for behavior systems, even though it’s midyear.Barb shares real examples from her own school, practical PBIS-aligned strategies, and mindset shifts that help principals move from reactive discipline to proactive systems. If behavior is consuming your day and keeping you from leading the way you want to, this episode will help you start the new year with clarity, consistency, and confidence.Get the Free PBIS Tier 1 Toolkit.Get my course, The Tier 1 Behavior Blueprint.

Celebrating Principal Wins in 2025

Get 20% of The 8 to 4 Principal Blueprint HERE.What if you paused long enough to notice just how far you've actually come this year? In this episode, we’re talking about the power of celebrating your leadership wins—big and small—and why principals rarely give themselves enough credit. I’m sharing simple reflection questions to help you recognize your growth, honor the hard things you navigated, and step into 2026 with intention and confidence.Reflection Questions in the Episode:What did I do this year that I once thought would be really hard—or even impossible?Where did I show courage or leadership even when I felt uncertain?What systems did I build or improve that made life easier for students and staff?What difficult situation did I navigate better than I would have in the past?Where did I grow as a leader?What did I accomplish this year that I am really proud of?Click HERE to get the 8 to 4 Principal Planner.

The Eight to Four Non-Negotiables for Principals

Get 20% of The 8 to 4 Principal Blueprint HERE.What would your school—and your life—look like if you protected your time as fiercely as you protect everyone else’s? In this episode of The Principal’s Handbook, we break down the 5 Eight-to-Four Non-Negotiables that help principals get more done during the school day without sacrificing their evenings, weekends, and families. Barb walks you through a free planning guide to help you personalize these non-negotiables for your building. You can get the free guide HERE.Tune in and give yourself the space to lead with clarity, work with purpose, and go home on time—without guilt.

Managing December Emotions in Schools

Get 20% of The 8 to 4 Principal Blueprint HERE.Have you noticed that the closer you get to winter break, the quicker every little problem seems to turn into a big one? The weeks leading up to winter break can magnify stress, fatigue, and frustration for both teachers and administrators — and if you’re not intentional, that negativity can spread fast.In this episode of The Principal’s Handbook, we unpack why December tends to amplify overwhelm and reactivity in school cultures and what it means for you as a leader. You’ll learn how to recognize the emotional patterns that surface this time of year, understand what your staff is really needing beneath the complaints, and lead your building with steadiness when everyone else feels on edge.Tune in to explore leadership mindsets, emotional regulation tools, and practical moves that help you create stability, support your teachers, and keep your school grounded through one of the hardest months of the year — without burning yourself out in the process. Whether your staff is drained, irritable, or simply “over it,” this episode will help you show up with clarity, compassion, and confidence.Get my resources for navigating staff emotions and team dynamics.FREE DOWNLOADS*The Principal's Email DetoxDecisive Leadership- Free WorkshopPrincipal Checklist to Disconnect From SchoolBehavior Blueprint for PrincipalsThe Principal’s Power Hour Blueprint