Why Systems Matter: From Pain to Purpose
Hey Friend,
There was a time in my life when I became... comfortable. Predictable, even.
As an educational leader, I was fully immersed in the rhythm of school life—the calendar, the bell schedule, the controlled chaos of arrival and dismissal. That rhythm became second nature.
Because here’s the thing: in the rhythm of school, we find systems.
Or at least... we should.
Over the years, I worked in schools where systems were strong—systems that lightened the load, empowered teachers, and helped students thrive. I also served in places where systems were held together with duct tape and good intentions—barely functioning, relying on people who gave more than they had to give.
And then... there was one district where the systems weren’t just broken—they were nearly nonexistent.
That’s when everything changed.
That’s when I felt the pain.
It reminded me of a quote by James Clear in Atomic Habits:
“You don’t rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems.”
And fall we did.
Without systems in place, the school’s rhythm was offbeat. Teachers were overwhelmed. The culture was crumbling. And me? I was exhausted—leading on fumes and constantly trying to hold everything together.
But here’s what I’ve learned:
Pain is a powerful motivator.
When we’re comfortable, we rarely feel compelled to change. But pain? Pain forces us to pause. It makes us ask the hard questions:
Is this sustainable?
Can I keep going like this?
And that pain—the stress, the disorganization, the pressure—it wasn’t unfamiliar.
My first real pain point came years earlier, on a rainy Saturday afternoon.
That was the day my brother, Brandon, drowned.
His death wasn’t caused by a broken system. But what happened afterward—the way our school community showed up for us—changed everything for me. That kind of care planted a seed in my heart. It’s what led me into education.
Because I believe in the power of connection.
Of community.
Of belonging.
But I’ve also learned something else:
That kind of support doesn’t just happen. It’s only possible when the people providing it have the capacity to do so. And that capacity is created and sustained by strong systems.
When systems are working, they protect people.
They reduce chaos.
They create space for empathy, for grace, and for human connection—especially when the stakes are high.
When educators aren’t overwhelmed by confusion or buried in dysfunction, they can be present. They can show up fully for their students, their colleagues, and their communities. Just like people showed up for my family.
That’s what strong systems do—they lighten the load for the people who carry others through their most difficult moments.
And that’s why this matters.
So what does all of this have to do with leading a school, district, or organization?
Everything.
Because when systems are broken—or completely missing—they do more than create chaos.
They drain hope.
Leaders feel isolated, reactive, and worn down.
And, when systems are broken, it chips away at the culture we work so hard to build.
I’ve been there. I know what it feels like.
But I also know the way forward.
And it doesn’t start with a shiny new initiative or a 37-page strategic plan.
It starts with you.
With self-reflection.
With clarity about who you are, what you value, and where you want to go.
It starts by building a system—not out of pressure or perfection—but out of self efficacy.
I’ve built that system. It’s called the System of H.O.P.E.
And it’s more than an acronym. It’s a framework designed to help you rebuild from the inside out:
Habits that ground and energize you
An Optimistic Outlook that fosters resilience
A clear Purpose that inspires your team
A commitment to Excellence that elevates your leadership
When you lead with H.O.P.E., you don’t just build better systems—you build belief.
Belief in yourself.
Belief in the people around you.
And that belief becomes the foundation of a healthy, hopeful culture.
You don’t have to stay stuck. You don’t have to lead alone.
Start by taking the H.O.P.E. Self-Efficacy Assessment. It’s a small step with a big purpose. Once you complete it, let me know you have taken the assessment. I’d love to help you create a roadmap for your personal and professional growth—free of charge. Email me at [email protected] to connect.
Because there is a better way.
There is H.O.P.E.
And I’m here to help you spark it.
With gratitude,
Brandi
