Dr. Chris Jackson on Leading from the Ground Up

Key Insight #1: Every Job on Campus Matters Equally

• What’s broken:Creating hierarchies that separate administrators from the real work of schools, losing connection with staff and community
• The shift: Leading with servant leadership — picking up trash during lunch, building relationships with custodians, and blurring the lines between “management” and service
• Impact: Instant credibility with all stakeholder groups and authentic empathy that comes from walking in everyone’s shoes

Key Insight #2: Bloom Where You’re Planted First

• What’s broken: Always looking for the next promotion instead of excelling in your current role and building relationships where you are
• The shift: Do your best work in whatever sphere of influence you have, ask questions, and let opportunities find you through positive relationships
• Impact: Chris went from custodian on Wednesday to teaching his own class on Monday — but only because he had built trust and demonstrated excellence where he was

Key Insight #3: Community Connection Beats Credentials Every Time

• What’s broken: Leading schools as an outsider who doesn’t understand the community’s needs, values, and challenges
• The shift: Live in, understand, and serve your community in their image — being able to say “I’m your neighbor” during difficult conversations
• Impact: When parents challenge decisions, Chris can respond: “I live two blocks from you, I went to school here, my parents went here” — eliminating the “you don’t understand” barrier