Veronica Holyoke on Breaking the Myth of Solitary Leadership
The Ruckus Report
Quick take: The “lone wolf” leader is a toxic myth that’s burning out school administrators and failing students. Veronica Holyoke proves that transformational leadership happens in community, not isolation — and one hour a week can change everything.
Meet Your Fellow Ruckus Maker
Veronica Holyoke is a 25-year education veteran and Utah’s 2024 Assistant Principal of the Year. A former 5th grade teacher with master’s degrees in Curriculum and Instruction and Educational Leadership, she’s spent her fourth year as an elementary Assistant Principal in Jordan School District. Beyond her accolades, Veronica has navigated supporting her husband through serious disability while excelling in her leadership role — proving that community support transforms both professional and personal resilience.
In this episode, Veronica Holyoke challenges traditional education paradigms:
Key Insight #1: Imposter Syndrome Isn’t Permanent
- What’s broken: Leaders believing they must have all the answers and can’t show vulnerability or uncertainty
- The shift: Embrace community support where every voice matters, regardless of title or experience level
- Impact: Confidence grows, authentic leadership emerges, and the toxic cycle of isolation breaks
Key Insight #2: Weekly Support Beats Yearly Burnout
- What’s broken: The expectation that school leaders should figure everything out alone while pouring into everyone else
- The shift: Prioritize one hour per week for consistent community support and professional growth
- Impact: Leaders go to bed happier every Tuesday, face challenges with renewed energy, and sustain their passion for the work
Key Insight #3: Personal Growth Drives Professional Excellence
- What’s broken: Separating personal wellness from professional performance, leading to unsustainable leadership practices
- The shift: Invest in whole-person support that addresses both home and work challenges
- Impact: When leaders are cared for, they can better care for staff and students — creating award-winning school cultures
Quotable Ruckus
“I could only take care of my staff and students because I was being taken care of because of the mastermind group.”
– Veronica Holyoke
Your Do School Different Challenge
Ready to implement these ideas? Start here:
- Tomorrow: Make a list of things you do weekly to “fill your bucket” — where does community support rank?
- This Month: Find one hour per week to connect with other leaders outside your system for growth and support
- This Semester: Build or join a community where you can be 100% authentic about your challenges and victories
Get the full episode transcript: here
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