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by Dr. Joan Flora, PCC Meet the Idea Fairy You’re deep in a budget meeting when a colleague appears, eyes bright: “You should offer this workshop—it would be amazing!” The Idea Fairy is fluttering around your office, showering you with glittering ideas. They mean well. They care about your mission. They see possibilities you might…
When Stillness Feels Unbearable
Researchers at the University of Virginia and Harvard University asked participants to sit quietly, without distractions, for 6 to 15 minutes. Most couldn’t do it. In a follow-up study, more than half chose to administer mild electric shocks rather than be alone with their thoughts, Science, 2014, 345(6192), 75–77. It’s astonishing. We long for peace,…
When Our Brains Have No Place to Rest: The 47% Problem
By Joan Flora, Ed.D., PCC | Inner Sage Leadership Group A well-known Harvard study (Killingworth & Gilbert, 2010) found that our minds wander 47–48% of the day, nearly half our waking time. For leaders, that’s a liability: the greatest risk is losing presence when it matters most. Most of us don’t lose clarity because we…
13 Common Thought Distortions That Haunt Us and How to Quiet Them
13 Common Thought Distortions That Haunt Us and How to Challenge ThemOur minds can play tricks on us, distorting reality and fueling stress, self-doubt, and overwhelm. These cognitive distortions are automatic, but once you recognize them, you can challenge them and regain clarity. 1. All-or-Nothing ThinkingSeeing things in black and white—if it’s not perfect, it’s…
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One of the biggest misconceptions in school leadership is that taking care of yourself means you’re not doing enough for others.
You’re not too emotional. You’re under-informed
You’re Not Too Emotional. You’re Under-Informed.What High-Performing Leaders Know About Emotions A few years ago, I interviewed a school principal named Elena. She had been promoted quickly—recognized for her sharp thinking and calm under pressure. But during one particularly volatile year, things shifted. She found herself snapping at colleagues. Avoiding difficult conversations. Over-apologizing in staff…
