Stop Asking “What Do I Do?” and Start Asking “Who Am I?” — with Dr. Chad Dumas

The Ruckus Report

Quick take: Most leaders ask the wrong question. They obsess over what to do next instead of who they’re becoming. In this episode, Dr. Chad Dumas unpacks how self-awareness, non-verbal cues, and intentional presence shape your entire school culture before a single decision is made.

🤝Meet Your Fellow Ruckus Maker

Dr. Chad Dumas is an international consultant, author, and award-winning researcher who helps educators build capacity for self, team, and system improvement. A former teacher, principal, and central office administrator, he’s the author of Let’s Put the C in PLC, An Action Guide to Put the C in PLC, and The Teacher Team Leader Handbook

In this episode, Danny Bauer and Dr. Chad Dumas dive deep into the inner work required to lead effectively. They challenge the surface-level “what do I do?” mentality and replace it with a leadership identity rooted in humility, empathy, and self-awareness.

🧠 Key Insight #1: Start with Who, Not What

• What's broken: Leaders jump straight to tactics — constantly asking, “What do I do?”
• The shift: Begin with who you are as a person and a leader. Your mindset, humility, and assumptions shape every result that follows.
• Impact: When leaders ground their actions in identity, they build trust, clarity, and authentic connection across their schools.

🧠 Key Insight #2: Leadership Speaks Before You Do

• What's broken: Non-verbal cues are ignored — rushed meetings, shallow breathing, and reactive tones quietly erode safety and collaboration.
• The shift: Master the pause, breathe deeply, and use intentional body language that communicates calm, curiosity, and respect.
• Impact: The culture shifts from tense to trusting. People start showing up with ideas because they feel seen and safe.

🧠 Key Insight #3: Conflict Is a Catalyst — Not a Threat

• What's broken: Leaders avoid hard conversations, turning tension into silence or resentment.
• The shift: Reframe conflict as a space for growth. Separate the person from the problem, focus on shared goals, and invite multiple perspectives.
• Impact: Teams move from defensiveness to collaboration. The best ideas emerge, and relationships deepen through honest dialogue.

📌 Your Do School Different Challenge

Ready to implement these ideas? Start here:

1. Tomorrow: Before your next meeting, take one deep breath and pause before you speak. Notice how it changes the tone.
2. This Month: Identify one assumption you hold about your staff that might not serve you. Replace it with the belief that they’re doing their best.
3. This Semester: Build time for reflection into your team meetings. Make space for silence, processing, and joy.

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Over 1 million teachers rely on IXL because it is empowering, it helps them make better decisions with reliable data, and it adapts instruction based on student performance. Get started today at ixl.com/leaders

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