What Great Leaders Do When School Is Quiet | E254

When the building is quiet but the work isn’t done, what should leaders actually be doing? In this episode, Ryan Steuer breaks down how top-tier school leaders use those “in-between” days—when students and teachers are gone, but administrators are still on contract—to create clarity, momentum, and renewal.

Rather than reacting to email or busywork, high-performing leaders use this rare space to plan long-term, reconnect with key relationships, and rest in ways that genuinely refuel them. This episode is a practical guide to using quiet seasons to strengthen leadership impact and prepare for what’s next.

Key Topics Covered

1. Long-Term Planning Over Short-Term Noise

Top leaders use quiet days to focus on deep, strategic work—not inbox cleanup. Ryan challenges administrators to identify the one thing that would move their work forward 5x or 10x, rather than reacting to urgency.

• How to find the “signal” in the middle of constant noise
• Why long-range planning gets pushed aside—and why that’s a mistake
• Aligning district strategic plans with real, day-to-day work
• Using coaching or consulting conversations to gain clarity and direction

2. Rebuilding and Strengthening Relationships

Leadership can unintentionally sideline important professional relationships. These quieter days offer rare opportunities to reconnect with trusted peers, mentors, and thought partners.

• Why meaningful relationships often get canceled during busy school weeks
• How to intentionally reconnect with other high-capacity leaders
• Using these conversations to test bold ideas and innovative thinking
• Creating space for both personal and professional reflection

3. Redefining Rest for High-Capacity Leaders

Rest looks different for driven leaders. Ryan reframes rest as something intentional and personal—not just doing nothing.

• Why “doing nothing” isn’t always restorative
• Defining what actually refills your energy
• Examples of active, reflective, and creative rest
• How clarity and purpose reduce stress more effectively than downtime alone

Big Takeaways

• Quiet days are leadership opportunities, not leftovers
• Clarity reduces stress more than productivity hacks
• Relationships fuel long-term leadership success
• Rest must be defined personally to be effective

Action Steps for School Leaders

• Identify one strategic priority that deserves deep focus
• Schedule at least one meaningful leadership conversation
• Define what true rest looks like for you—and plan for it intentionally
• Use quiet seasons to prepare for the demands of the year ahead

Resources Mentioned

PBL Readiness Scorecard™: Assess your school or district’s readiness for Project Based Learning and get targeted next steps at pblscore.com