Thought Design

A few years ago, Tara learned a hard leadership lesson...the kind that sticks with you. Listen to her story and discover how you can avoid making the same mistake. Now’s the time to invest in your leadership before the year slips into reaction mode. Instead of spending another six months stuck in the same patterns, you can create real momentum where your team takes ownership, speaks up, and steps into leadership. Secure your spot in our next Empowered Leader cohort by March 5th. Contact us to enroll today! #leadership #training #empoweredleader #professionaldevelopment #thoughtdesign #thoughtleader

Have you ever walked a familiar trail and suddenly felt like you were exploring it for the first time? I walked the trail in reverse on a recent hike instead of sticking to my usual path. And it was a perspective changer! Suddenly, this trail I thought I knew so well became unrecognizable. I found myself walking slower and noticing details I had somehow not seen in all my previous hikes. This hike felt like exploring a new place, even though I’d been here many times before. And you know what…I enjoyed it even more! Read the full Empowered Educator blog here! - https://hubs.ly/Q038rrkG0 #education #educator #principal #leadership #professionaldevelopment #thoughtdesign #thoughtleader

Last week at the #ESEAConference, I had the incredible opportunity to hear Bryan Stevenson speak about the power of proximity—and it hit home in such a profound way. Stevenson’s message was clear: If we want to achieve transformative change, we must get proximate to people. We don’t have to agree. We don’t have to justify. But we do need to step close enough to see, hear, and understand. This idea of proximity is just as crucial in the work of cultural change within organizations. Too often, leaders try to fix issues from a distance—through policies, strategies, or assumptions about what’s happening on the ground. But real transformation happens when we get close to our teams, listen to their experiences, and understand the realities they face. So grateful for this powerful reminder that change—whether in society, schools, or workplaces—starts with stepping closer. #Leadership #Proximity #CultureChange #BryanStevenson #TransformativeChange #ThoughtDesign

This isn’t your typical networking event. Leaders Unplugged is all about real conversations, fresh perspectives, and experiences that shake up the way you think about leadership. Picture this: a room full of brilliant, like-minded leaders, engaging conversations that go beyond small talk, and an interactive experience that will leave you thinking long after you leave. Oh, and did we mention the food? If you're ready to unplug from the usual and plug into something different, this is for you. We'll link the RSVP page down below in the comments ?? #leadersunplugged #leadership #networking #grandrapids #thoughtdesign

Day 2 vibes: Eager, energized, and ready to reimagine what’s possible in education! Cathy & Tara are posted up at the #ESEAConference with ESEA Network today. Chat with them over at booth # 237!

What separates teams that thrive from those that struggle when faced with challenges? It’s not talent, resources, or even experience. It’s how they solve problems together. Some teams default to finger-pointing, avoid tough conversations, or rush to solutions without fully understanding the problem. Over time, these habits kill creativity and erode trust. A New Approach ?? Instead of jumping to answers, start with better questions: ? What’s the real challenge we’re facing? ? What perspectives haven’t we considered? ? What can we learn from how we handled similar issues before? Encouraging thoughtful problem-solving builds confidence, trust, and adaptability—core ingredients for a high-performing team. Level Up and Thrive?? Are you modeling curiosity and collaboration when solving problems? Or are old habits keeping your team from finding the best solutions? The power of a question. Tara Colvin Ron Large Molly Cook Stacie Wiechman #thoughtdesign #psychologicalsafety #ESEAConference #coaching #leadership

Free, impactful, and ready-to-use…just for you! We know educators love practical tools that make a real difference. That’s why we’re bringing 3 FREE resources to the National #ESEAConference! Stop by Booth # 237 at the conference to grab one (or all three!) and chat with Tara Colvin and Cathy Henkenberns, Ed.D about how Thought Design helps leaders see challenges more clearly and create real change. Don’t miss out. Come say hi and walk away with something you can use right away! #ESEAconference #leadership #professionaldevelopment #educators #thoughtdesign

You can’t change what you can’t see. ?? That’s where we come in! We’re at the National #ESEAConference from Feb 19-21 - and we’d love to connect! Stop by booth # 237 to meet Cathy Henkenberns, Ed.D and Tara Colvin, and explore how we help leaders gain the clarity they need to create real change in their schools and teams. Come say hi, grab a resource, and walk away with some fresh insights. #ESEAconference #leadership #professionaldevelopment #educators #thoughtdesign