“Solitude is not the absence of leadership, but its source.”
— Parker J. Palmer

I have been described as an action guy, a whirlwind, a presence always on the move. In fact, in one of our most recent faculty meetings, our Head of Academics described me as a “force of nature” blowing through the halls with a sense of duty as I move from one task to the next

I certainly come by it naturally as I grew up working a wheat and cattle farm, where we always had to be moving at full force to get the wheat in, work the cattle, till the fields, and prepare for harvest

As someone who grew up and still lives in Oklahoma, perhaps the most fitting image for this type of whirlwind leadership is that of a tornado…spinning, whirling, churning from one task, one crisis, one urgent demand to the next with ferocity and power

And that is what I often feel like: a tornado

Indeed, the work itself often feels tornadic

Leading a school in today’s fast-paced, high-stakes environment is one of the most complex and demanding roles imaginable

The pressures are relentless — managing staff, meeting academic goals, responding to ever-shifting policies, engaging families, and addressing student needs.

It certainly keeps you on the hustle as a school leader

Always moving and shaking. Always whirling from one meeting to the next, one phone call, one email, one parent meeting, one faculty member conversation, one student discussion to the next

This is why it feels like so many leaders (myself included) operate like tornados tearing through the building, moving at full tilt in all directions, running, spinning, swirling with gale force tenacity, believing we must prioritize action and productivity above all else

In fact, for many leaders, especially school leaders, the concept of busyness is a badge of honor akin to a war hero’s wounds. To appear “un-busy” might make the leader appear weak, lazy, vulnerable

And yet, this constant hustle has measurable consequences

Research reveals that nearly 50% of school principals experience high levels of burnout.

As this article points out, school leaders are on the brink of a breakdown, with 85 percent of school principals report experiencing job-related stress—a percentage that is higher than any other professional position

This burnout contributes directly to high turnover, instability, and a loss of leadership capacity in schools — factors that ultimately affect student success.

In the midst of all of this, I have been reminded that, while tornados certainly have power and momentum, the more subtle and honorable image of healthy, sustainable leadership is not the whirlwind…but the oak tree

The oak tree, for time immeasurable, has been a symbol of strength, resilience, steadfastness, and honor

Oak trees hold significant meaning in various mythologies, often symbolizing strength, wisdom, and connection to the divine. 

In Greek mythology, the oak is sacred to Zeus, and its rustling leaves were interpreted as divine messages. Norse mythology associates the oak with Thor, the thunder god, and it's considered "Thor's Oak," representing resilience and divine favor. Celtic traditions viewed the oak as a sacred tree, a portal to other worlds, and a symbol of strength and wisdom. In Baltic mythology, oak trees were believed to be a connection to the sacred realm and oaks were called upon for guidance and protection

It is little wonder that the mythic world has long held oak trees as symbols of strength, resilience, wisdom, and guidance

Their roots go deep, their trunk is stout, and their branches extend far and wide

They are considered mighty and majestic, tall and towering, firm and reliable.

They represent the very things we hope to be as leaders

And yet, oak trees don’t grow tall and mighty overnight. Their strength starts silently beneath the surface, in deep roots that steady them through every storm. It is in the stillness, deep beneath the surface, that the strength of the oak tree is forged

Like the oak tree, sustainable leadership depends not on frantic responses to urgent crises…but instead on periods of stillness, reflection, and renewal.

As school leaders, we often feel pressured to be constantly “on”—making big decisions, leading fast initiatives, and juggling endless demands. 

But just like the oak tree, true leadership strength often requires something less visible: stillness

Why Stillness Matters in School Leadership

Stillness is not simply a pause from busyness; it’s a deliberate practice that replenishes your mental, emotional, and physical resources. 

Neuroscience confirms this necessity.

Studies show that the brain requires downtime to consolidate learning, regulate emotions, and foster creative thinking. Without this, decision-making can become impaired, stress levels increase, and exhaustion sets in

Stillness, then, is not the absence of action; it’s the space where deep reflection, renewal, and growth begin.

Stillness becomes the quiet root system that supports all the visible work we do.

It is in the root system that the oak tree finds its strength, and it is in the deep rooted stillness that we as leaders find ours as well

In the fast-paced world of education, cultivating moments of stillness can feel counterintuitive or even impossible. Yet, it is in these pauses that we reconnect with our purpose, clarity, and resilience.

Mindfulness, journaling, meditation, and reflective practice — all forms of stillness — have been demonstrated to reduce stress and burnout by as much as 30% in educational professionals. 

Moreover, leaders who cultivate emotional intelligence through stillness are better equipped to foster positive school climates, improve teacher retention, and boost student engagement.

Still, many school leaders struggle to find these restorative moments. 

The pressure to “do more” often overshadows the need to “be more present.” This imbalance risks not only personal health but also the vision and vitality necessary to lead transformational change

In education, the pressure to act fast is intense. Leaders feel they must constantly solve problems, respond to emergencies, and innovate on the fly. This culture often celebrates doing over being.

The problem is that the human brain is not designed for nonstop multitasking or sustained high-pressure decision-making

Without adequate moments of stillness, leaders become more vulnerable to stress, exhaustion, and impaired judgment.

But here’s the paradox: Sustained, impactful leadership depends on intentional pauses…on cultivating stillness

Moments of stillness allow us to process, reflect, and reconnect with our purpose.

Without these moments, burnout and exhaustion become inevitable.

Tornados certainly have power…but they also fizzle out quickly, often leaving a wake of destruction in their path

Prioritizing stillness not only nurtures your wellbeing, but also creates conditions for your whole school community to thrive.

When leaders embody calm and clarity, they model emotional intelligence and resilience — factors linked to healthier school climates and better student outcomes.

School administrators with high emotional resilience can significantly impact teacher well-being and success.

Studies show a strong correlation between the emotional resilience of the school administrator and positive outcomes in teachers, including reduced burnout, improved mental health, and increased job satisfaction.

Resilient administrators foster supportive school cultures, promote collaboration, and effectively manage challenging situations, ultimately creating a more positive and productive environment for teachers

One quick example from my leadership desk:

There have been many times when faced with a big decision, a decision that I knew would shape the trajectory of the culture of our school and/or impact a student or faculty member, that I somehow had the foresight to say to the person in question: “I don’t feel settled in making this decision right now. Give me 24 hours to think this through so I have a clearer head when I make a final decision”

That pause, that rest, that discipline of stillness has calmed the tornado in me and allowed me time to reflect on what always seems to be a wiser course of action than my initial knee-jerk reaction might have been

Giving myself time to be still—time to think, time to rest, time to reflect, time to run different scenarios in my head—has always benefitted me in the long run

The Transformative Power of Protecting Stillness

When you guard your moments of calm, you give yourself the chance to see what’s really important. Creativity flourishes, solutions become clearer, and you gain renewed optimism.

By prioritizing stillness, school leaders not only safeguard their own health but create the conditions for sustainable impact

There is nothing more counterintuitive to genuine, authentic, and transformative leadership than the frantic, stressed out, overblown leader who is constantly barking orders and creating tension through their own sense of overwrought anxiety

Leaders who do not protect the sacred roots of stillness in their own lives and work risk burning themselves out, as well as creating constant turnover in their faculty and staff. They operate at a fever pitch, leaving everyone on edge in their presence.

This is no way to live and certainly no way to lead

By contrast, a flourishing leader, deeply rooted in stillness, can better navigate complexity, build trust, and inspire collective action toward meaningful change.

They become the calm during the storm, the faithful presence, the trusted guide, the lighthouse, the anchor.

Stillness is not inactivity—it’s leadership’s hidden superpower.

Just as oak trees develop resilient roots that nourish visible growth, school leaders must cultivate inner stillness to sustain purpose, energy, and effectiveness over the long term.

By committing to stillness, you not only enhance your personal flourishing but also empower your school community to thrive in the face of challenge

This is how we root our leadership in strength—not by adding more, but by anchoring deeper

When you treat stillness as sacred:

• You gain clarity that cuts through complexity

• You respond with purpose rather than urgency

• You begin to lead from a place of calm, not chaos

• You foster trust rather than fear in your staff

• You cultivate wisdom rather than chaos in your space

Practical Steps to Cultivate Stillness in Your Leadership Practice

1. Schedule deliberate pauses — Block time in your calendar to step away from screens, meetings, and tasks, even briefly. Close your laptop. Leave the emails where they are. Go for a walk outside. Grab a cup of coffee. Sit for 15 minutes in a quiet space. Let your mind rest, if even for a few moments.
   

2. Engage in reflective journaling or meditation — Prioritize time in your day (before school, at bedtime e.g.) when you take time to practice reflection, gratitude, and thoughtful mindfulness practices that promote insight, reduce anxiety, and clarify priorities. See reflection as a root that nourishes the entire trunk of your person and work
   

3. Set clear boundaries — Reduce distractions and learn to say no to non-essential demands to preserve your focus and energy. Let your staff know you are scheduling “deep work” time that helps you recharge, reset, and refocus…even if it’s just a run to Starbucks and back
   

4. Foster a culture of reflection within your team — Encourage your staff to value stillness as a source of creativity and resilience. Take over a lunch duty for a staff member so they can have some downtime to recharge. Step in when you see them stressed or overworked. Give a note of encouragement that lifts them up. Be the anchor of peace in the building

5. Model peaceful engagement for your staff — Let your staff see you take a breather, step away, rest and reset before making urgent, demanding decisions and give them the space to do the same

While there are certainly times I still blow through the halls like a whirlwind, my hope is that I am cultivating in my own self the deep-rooted practice of stillness enough that I bring optimism, hope, purpose, and enthusiasm to the work…for myself and for those I lead

If I want to be more like the oak tree than the tornado, I know I need to foster the deep roots of stillness in my life and practice, and I need to and encourage this practice in my staff so we embody the peace our students so desperately need in their own lives to flourish and thrive.

On the journey with you,

Scott

Question for Renewal

Where in my daily life or leadership do I most need moments of calm and clarity?

Examples: During morning planning, before meetings, after challenging conversations, at the end of the day.

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A Few Things Worth Sharing

If you are looking to find deeper purpose and meaning in your role as a school leader, I am opening up the next administrative leadership cohort for the 2025/26 school year

I work with school leaders to help them find greater fulfillment, meaning, purpose, and connection in their work as educational administrators

If you would like more information on joining us, visit https://www.drscottamartin.com/ to learn more or reach out directly to schedule a free call to chat

TESTIMONIAL: "Dr. Scott Martin is an exceptional educator whose passion for teaching, leadership, and commitment to flourishing is genuinely inspiring. At an event held at the University of Oklahoma for the College of Education’s educational leadership doctoral students, Scott’s leadership and experience created a desire to focus on innovation, creativity, and meaningful connection and engagement with students in their contexts.” Dr Ed Frick. Professor of Education OU

AND…I Wrote A Book On The Journey I Took To Start A School!!!

It is called “The Edupreneur’s Field Guide” and it gives you the blueprint to do something really purposeful in education!