S3 E7 - Listening as a Superpower: Strengthening Trust and Leadership Through Active Listening Artwork

School on a Mission Podcast

Welcome to "School on a Mission," the podcast for educators by educators. We're here to help school leaders navigate the ups and downs of leadership in education. Join us for candid conversations, practical advice, and inspiration from experienced educators and experts. Whether you're a seasoned leader or an aspiring administrator, we've got you covered. Tune in and join the mission to create thriving learning environments for the next generation.

The School on a Mission podcast is brought to you by Growing Leaders powered by the Maxwell Leadership Foundation. You can learn more about the work of transforming the lives of students at growingleaders.com.

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School on a Mission Podcast

S3 E7 - Listening as a Superpower: Strengthening Trust and Leadership Through Active Listening

November 20, 2025 • Growing Leaders x Maxwell Leadership Foundation • Season 3 • Episode 7

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What if the most powerful thing you can do as a leader… is say nothing at all?

In this powerful two-host episode, Andrew and Gina explore how listening—truly listening—is one of the most overlooked and underutilized tools in a leader’s toolkit. With no guest this time, it’s a heart-to-heart conversation filled with relatable stories, practical strategies, and leadership wisdom about the art of listening with intention.

They break down the science and soul of active listening—why it matters, how it builds trust faster than advice ever will, and how to overcome the distractions that derail us. You’ll discover how listening applies at every level of school leadership—from students to staff to parents—and why giving someone your full attention might be the most radical leadership move you make this year.

What You’ll Learn:

The #1 reason most leaders think they’re listening… but aren’t
What active listening really looks like in schools
How to avoid the “fixer” trap in staff and student conversations
Listening as burnout prevention
Why being heard matters more than being helped

Whether you’re leading a team, teaching in the classroom, or parenting at home—this episode will challenge and inspire you to tune in more deeply.

🚀 Welcome to the School on a Mission Podcast! 🎙️

Hosted by Andrew McPeak and Gina Watts, this podcast is for educators, school leaders, and change-makers who believe in building schools where leadership, character, and social-emotional growth matter just as much as academics. If you believe education should inspire, equip, and empower the next generation—you’re in the right place!

Each episode features engaging conversations, expert insights, and real-world strategies to help you create a school culture where students thrive. From leadership principles and community engagement to AI in education and social media strategy, we tackle the most pressing topics in modern education.

🎧 New episodes drop regularly—don’t miss out!

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🔹 The School on a Mission Podcast is produced by Growing Leaders, powered by the Maxwell Leadership Foundation.