Creating Leadership Routines That Stick All Year Long

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In today’s episode, I want to talk about creating leadership routines that stick. Stay tuned.

Introduction

Welcome to The Principal’s Handbook, your go-to resource for principals looking to revamp their leadership approach and prioritize self-care.

I’m Barb Flowers, a certified life coach with eight years of experience as an elementary principal. Tune in each week as we explore strategies for boosting mental resilience, managing time effectively, and nurturing overall wellness.

From tackling daily challenges to maintaining a healthy work-life balance, we’ll navigate the complexities of school leadership together. Join me in fostering your sense of purpose as a principal and reigniting your passion for the job.

Welcome to a podcast where your wellbeing is the top priority.

Why Leadership Routines Matter

Welcome back to the podcast! Today we’re talking about leadership routines you can use all year long.

Let me ask you: have you ever wished you could be more proactive and less reactive as a principal? I think we’ve all been there—wanting to lead with more intention rather than constantly fighting fires.

In my experience, the best way to make that shift is by building leadership routines that stick. They transform your year, reduce overwhelm, and bring structure to a chaotic job.

I think back to my own principal when I was a teacher. He was such a great leader because of his consistency. He had routines that made him visible every single day—whether in classrooms, the cafeteria, recess, or hallways. As a teacher, I always knew what to expect from him. That predictability brought a sense of certainty that reduced stress for everyone.

Students noticed too! If he didn’t come to a classroom, they’d ask, “Where is he?” Little kids knew his routines, and they looked for him daily. That’s the power of consistency.

The Connection to Wellbeing

Routines don’t just support your building; they also support your goals and wellbeing.

I coach principals through my 8 to 4 Principal Blueprint, which is all about creating systems that let you leave work at 4:00. At the heart of it? Leadership routines.

Remember:

• Habits are routines made automatic through consistency.

• Routines create predictability for you, your teachers, and your students.

If you want a deeper dive, check out Episode 82: Customized Leadership Habits for Principals. It’s a great companion to today’s conversation.

Why Principals Struggle with Routines

So why is it so hard to stick to routines? Here are some common struggles I see:

• Busy schedules and constant interruptions. Urgent issues can easily take over.

• Pressure to respond immediately. Parents, teachers, and district staff often expect instant replies. (I remember a parent once telling my secretary, “If she doesn’t call me back in five minutes, I’m calling the state.” My response? “Then call the state.” You can’t live on everyone else’s timeline.)

• Multitasking. Trying to do too much breaks routines.

• Unrealistic expectations. Wanting to do everything perfectly from day one—or trying to do too much at once.

• Lack of accountability or systems. Without structure, routines fade.

• Not aligning routines to your own energy rhythms or building priorities.

Making Routines Stick

If these struggles sound familiar, here are some ways to build routines that last:

1. Start with clear priorities.
   What are your building goals? Which routines will support them? And keep it simple—just one or two routines tied directly to your priorities.

   Example: If your goal is fidelity with a reading program, your routine could be daily walkthroughs during reading blocks.

2. Keep routines simple.

   • Car duty each morning.

   • Greeting kids in the hallway.

   • A daily classroom visit.
     Small, consistent actions matter most.

3. Schedule routines at the right time.
   Morning was always best for my classroom walkthroughs because afternoons filled up with meetings and student needs.

4. Use environmental cues.
   After announcements, I’d grab coffee, check email, and then head into classrooms. That sequence became automatic.

5. Build over time.
   Don’t try to implement 10 routines at once. Start with one, make it stick, then add another.

6. Adopt the right mindset.
   Believe the routine is worth it. Honestly, I didn’t always want to do walkthroughs—but I knew their impact. The mindset kept me consistent even when motivation lagged.

Examples of Leadership Routines

Morning Routines

• Walk the halls for visibility.

• Greet students and staff.

• Review your calendar and set your top three priorities.

• Send a quick celebratory or informational email.

Midday Routines

• Connect with staff in the lounge.

• Check in with students in the cafeteria or at recess.

• Reflect on your day and adjust priorities.

End-of-Day Routines

• Supervise bus or car duty.

• Say goodbye to students.

• Return to your office, check email one last time, and shut everything down to set boundaries for the evening.

Weekly Routines

• Send staff or parent communication.

• Block time for planning or reflection.

Remember: routines will look different in every building depending on size, schedule, and context.

Tips for Starting Strong

• Start with just 1–2 key routines aligned with your priorities.

• Keep them simple.

• Schedule demanding tasks during your peak energy times. (For me, that’s mornings and early in the week.)

• Anchor routines to existing habits.

• Adjust routines based on your building’s needs.

• Be flexible and patient—solid routines take years to fully develop.

Final Thoughts

If you want more support, I created a resource called Leadership by Design: The Custom Habit System for Principals. It’s designed to help you build leadership routines that become habits and truly stick. I’ll link it in the show notes.

I hope today’s episode inspires you to choose just one or two routines that align with your priorities. Remember:

• Your leadership habits shape your school culture.

• They protect your wellbeing.

• And routines are the foundation for intentional, proactive leadership.

You have the power to create routines that support you, your goals, and your school all year long.

If you love this show, and you’re listening on Apple, scroll down in your app and leave a review.

I hope you have a great week—and I’ll see you back here next time.