Episode Keywords

Education • Innovation • Leadership • Learning • Professional Growth • Storytelling • Educators • Curiosity • Meaningful Experiences • Community

Summary

In this episode of Lassoing Leadership, Jason Rogers and Garth Nichols zoom out—and then right back in—on why education remains one of the most exciting, challenging, and hopeful industries around. Drawing inspiration from George Couros’ work, including The Innovator’s Mindset and Forward Together, the conversation explores what it really means to build learner-centred schools in a world that keeps changing the rules.

Jason and Garth unpack innovation not as a buzzword, but as a posture—one rooted in curiosity, relationships, and the courage to keep things fresh. From professional learning that actually energizes educators, to the power of networks beyond our own schools, this episode is a reminder that meaningful growth happens when we stay open, tell better stories, and refuse to get too comfortable with “the way it’s always been done.”

Take Aways

• Education is evolving—and that’s what makes it thrilling if we lean into it.

• Learner-centred schools don’t happen by accident; they’re built intentionally.

• Innovation isn’t a program—it’s a habit we practice together.

• Great professional development should spark curiosity, not compliance.

• Meaningful experiences matter just as much for adults as they do for students.

• Growth accelerates when we learn with and from people beyond our own buildings.

• Change doesn’t arrive on its own—we have to go after it.

• Schools innovate best when communities are part of the story.

• Capturing mantras, moments, and stories keeps learning human.

• Staying fresh requires noticing when the “smell” has changed—and responding.

• “The future ain’t what it used to be.”

• “Don’t get used to the smell.”

• “Kids these days… kids these days.”

Chapters

00:00 – Welcome to Lassoing Leadership
04:28 – Rethinking Innovation and the Innovator’s Mindset
08:15 – What Educators Owe Learners in a Changing World
12:15 – Culture, Curiosity, and Continuous Learning
13:59 – Forward Together and Paying Attention to New Smells
18:05 – Learning Beyond Education and the Power of Networks
20:50 – What’s Ahead: Guests, Ideas, and Staying Curious

Episode Keywords

Education • Leadership • Community • Storytelling • Emotional Connection • Change • School Leadership • Relationships • Narrative

Summary

In this episode of Lassoing Leadership, Jason Rogers and Garth Nichols sit down with George Couros to talk about his newest book, Forward Together—and what it really takes to build schools where people feel seen, valued, and connected.

George shares powerful stories about the role community plays in meaningful change, why leadership is inseparable from storytelling, and how emotional connection—not policy or programs—is often the real driver of growth. From paying attention to the small details, to celebrating wins (including your own), this conversation is a reminder that leadership isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about being curious, generous, and deeply human.

Take Aways

• Curiosity builds bridges; judgment builds walls.

• Schools are among the most powerful community-building spaces we have.

• Small, thoughtful details often make the biggest difference.

• Emotional connection sits at the centre of effective leadership.

• Leaders need to recognize and celebrate their own growth—not just others’.

• Relationships are the foundation on which everything else is built.

• Understanding your community matters more than copying someone else’s model.

• Change sticks when it’s approached with care, empathy, and patience.

• Naming and amplifying strengths creates momentum and trust.

• Great leadership creates environments where people feel safe to grow.

• “The small details matter.”

• “What do I gain?”

• “Clap for yourself.”

Chapters

00:00 – Welcoming George and Forward Together
05:30 – Why Community Is the Work of Schools
09:55 – Storytelling as a Leadership Practice
12:54 – Emotional Connection and Meaningful Change
19:26 – “Clap for Yourself” and Owning Your Growth
24:33 – Advice for New and Emerging Leaders

Keywords

education, leadership, innovation, AI, stoicism, learning, resilience, community, George Couros, Innovator's Mindset

Takeaways

• George Couros emphasizes the importance of innovation in education.
• The Innovator's Mindset is relevant even after 10 years since its publication.
• Change should be viewed as an opportunity for growth.
• AI can enhance learning experiences when embraced positively.
• Stoicism offers valuable lessons for leaders in adapting to change.
• Learning is a continuous process that requires community support.
• Modeling risk-taking behavior is essential for leaders.
• Compassion for oneself is crucial in the learning journey.
• Building a culture of innovation requires understanding individual strengths.
• Curiosity and listening are key traits of effective leadership.

Quotes

• "Repetition really matters in learning."
• "Be curious, not judgmental."
• "Keep leading the lasso way."

Summary

In this episode of Lassoing Leadership, hosts Jason Rogers and Garth engage with George Couros, an influential figure in education and author of 'The Innovator's Mindset.'

The conversation explores the relevance of innovation in education, the impact of AI, and the importance of community and curiosity in leadership.

Couros shares insights on embracing change, learning from mistakes, and the connection between stoicism and effective leadership. The episode concludes with reflections on leadership lessons from the character Ted Lasso, emphasizing the need for compassion and support in fostering innovation.

Chapters

00:00 - Introduction to the Podcast and Guests

03:11 - George Couros: Journey in Education

05:58 - The Innovator's Mindset: Relevance Over Time

09:05 - Innovation and Stoicism: Embracing Change

11:58 - AI in Education: Finding Value

14:59 - Learning vs. Teaching: A Shift in Perspective

18:07 - Navigating Change in Education Leadership

18:27 - Embracing Change in Education

22:34 - The Journey of Personal Growth

27:10 - Learning Through Risk and Innovation

Keywords

education, leadership, innovation, George Couros, Innovator’s Mindset, Forward Together, storytelling, professional development, change management, psychological safety

Summary

In this episode of Lassoing Leadership, Garth and Jason return to two books that continue to shape their thinking: The Innovator’s Mindset and Forward Together by George Couros.

Rather than treating innovation as a checklist or a program, they explore it as a way of being—one rooted in trust, relationships, and curiosity. The conversation weaves together stories from schools, leadership moments, and lived experience, highlighting how listening, empowerment, and psychological safety create the conditions where meaningful change can actually take hold.

At its core, this episode is about building environments where people feel safe enough to grow—and supported enough to try.

Take Aways

• The Innovator’s Mindset reframes innovation as a way of thinking, not a tool or initiative.

• Empowerment—not control—is what unlocks the best thinking in schools.

• When teachers use technology well, it amplifies good practice rather than replacing it.

• Listening isn’t passive—it’s one of the fastest ways to move change forward.

• Continuous improvement matters more than chasing the next big idea.

• Innovation only works when it’s built on a strong foundation of good education.

• Leaders don’t force change—they create the conditions where change can emerge.

• Relationships are the real lever for leadership impact.

• Education should help people choose to do the right thing, even when it’s hard.

• Storytelling remains one of the most powerful tools a leader has.

Sound Bites

“Empowerment beats control—every time.”
“Don’t let the smell bother you.”
“Listening might be the most underrated leadership skill we have.”

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Beards Book Club
05:50 Exploring The Innovator’s Mindset
10:06 Why Innovation Still Matters in Education
13:56 Diving into Forward Together
17:54 Creating the Conditions for Real Change
21:59 The Power of Listening in Leadership

Keywords

leadership, mattering, anti-mattering, gratitude, recognition, emotional intelligence, education, community, strengths, unseen work

Summary

In this episode of Lassoing Leadership, Jason Rogers and Garth Nichols dive into one of the most human—and often overlooked—dimensions of leadership: mattering. Together, they unpack how people come to feel valued, seen, and significant at work—and how easily the opposite, anti-mattering, can show up in subtle, unintended ways.

The conversation explores the role of authentic gratitude, the power of recognizing individual strengths, and the impact of unseen contributions in schools and organizations. Jason and Garth challenge leaders to reflect on their daily interactions, reminding us that leadership isn’t just about strategy or vision—it’s about how people feel in our presence. At its core, this episode is a call to notice more, assume less, and lead with intention.

Take Aways

• Mattering is foundational to trust, engagement, and leadership effectiveness.

• Anti-mattering often happens quietly—in small moments, omissions, or habits.

• Gratitude loses its power when it becomes performative rather than personal.

• People feel they matter when leaders genuinely know them.

• Recognizing strengths fuels confidence, contribution, and belonging.

• Hope must precede strategy for change to stick.

• No one succeeds alone—community matters.

• The most important contributions are often the least visible.

• Leaders shape self-worth whether they intend to or not.

• Growth accelerates when unique talents are noticed and named.

  
  

  Sound Bites

• “You need to be valued to add value.”

• “Gratitude can become performative if we’re not careful.”

• “Great leaders look for the unseen.”

  
  

Keywords
leadership, empathy, mattering, significance, education, workplace culture, gratitude, belonging, engagement, coaching

Summary
In this episode of Lassoing Leadership, hosts Jason Rogers and Garth Nichols sit down with Dr. Zach Mercurio to explore the essential human need to matter. Together, they unpack why significance is a primal driver for people, the difference between belonging and mattering, and how leaders can create cultures where individuals feel valued and essential. Dr. Mercurio shares practical strategies for addressing the “mattering deficit” in schools and organizations, illustrating how small, intentional acts of gratitude and recognition can transform engagement, performance, and well-being. Through stories and insights, the conversation highlights how leaders can build environments where people not only belong, but truly matter.

Takeaways

• Mattering is a primal survival instinct—being important to someone else.

• People must feel valued in order to add value.

• Mattering and belonging are distinct: belonging is inclusion, mattering is significance.

• The mattering deficit is a pressing challenge in organizations today.

• Simple, specific interactions can foster mattering.

• Gratitude is most powerful when concrete and personal.

• Care must be felt before people can care about their work.

• Leaders can intentionally cultivate mattering through daily interpersonal skills.

• Helping people see their unique contributions boosts engagement.

• Cultures of mattering drive stronger performance and healthier workplaces.

Titles

• The Heart of Empathy in Leadership

• Unlocking the Power of Mattering

Sound Bites

• “Gratitude is a skill and an art.”

• “You can’t unsee the mattering deficit.”

• “Keep leading the Lasso way.”

Chapters
00:00 – Introduction to Mattering in Leadership
05:43 – The Importance of Feeling Valued
08:12 – Mattering vs. Belonging: A Deeper Dive
11:03 – Mattering as an Actionable Concept
15:25 – Strategies to Combat the Mattering Deficit
19:58 – The Power of Gratitude in Leadership
24:19 – Seeing the Unseen: The Impact of Mattering
29:01 – Real-Life Applications: The Hockey Team Story

Keywords

leadership, mattering, significance, organizational culture, positive leadership, emotional intelligence, gratitude, community, engagement, personal development

Episode Summary

In this episode of Beards Book Club, Garth Nichols and Jason Rogers dig into a simple but powerful idea: mattering. Drawing from Zach Mercurio’s work, they explore what it really means for people to feel seen, valued, and significant—especially inside organizations and schools.

The conversation challenges the notion that mattering is abstract or fluffy. Instead, Jason and Garth unpack how mattering is something leaders do, not something they hope people feel. Through small, intentional actions—micro moments of attention, gratitude, and care—leaders can shape cultures where people know they belong and that their presence makes a difference.

This episode is a reminder that leadership isn’t about volume or authority, but about noticing, naming, and valuing the people right in front of us.

Take Aways

• Leadership in society feels fragile right now

• Many leadership truths are simple—and we learned them early

• Mattering is not theoretical; it’s actionable

• We can’t assume our voice automatically carries significance

• Mattering isn’t a feeling—it’s an experience we create for others

• Leaders must demonstrate mattering, not just talk about it

• Micro moments shape culture more than we realize

• Spaces are changed because of who is present

• Articulated attention is at the heart of mattering

• This may be the most valuable $20 investment in leadership learning

Sound Bites

“Leadership in society is in peril right now.”
“Mattering is actionable.”
“Articulated attention is key to mattering.”

Time Stamps

00:00 – Welcome to Season Three
06:34 – What does it mean to matter?
08:19 – Leadership, voice, and significance
10:55 – Micro moments, gratitude, and attention
13:40 – Practicing significance as a leader
17:02 – Final reflections and call to action
18:03 – Beards Book Club outro

Keywords

Leadership, resolutions, transparency, authenticity, education, trust, curiosity, joy, generosity, student experience, future of learning

Episode Summary

In this episode, Jason Rogers and Garth Nichols take time to pause, reflect, and look ahead—sharing their leadership resolutions for the year to come. The conversation centers on transparency, authenticity, and the kind of connection that builds real trust. Each host offers personal resolutions rooted in curiosity, love, generosity, and joy, while also wrestling with the realities of leadership in schools today. They reflect on the importance of staying close to the student experience and end with thoughtful predictions about the future of education, including the growing influence of AI and the rising importance of student agency.

Take Aways

• Strong leadership starts with reflection—looking back before moving forward.

• Transparency and authenticity are foundational to trust.

• Curiosity reframes leadership from control to mentorship.

• Being visible and present matters more than being perfect.

• Love and connection belong at the center of leadership, not the margins.

• Doing fewer things exceptionally well creates greater impact.

• Protecting joy is not a luxury—it’s a leadership responsibility.

• Small acts of generosity can ripple through an entire school culture.

• AI will meaningfully reshape education, whether we’re ready or not.

• Student agency will play an increasingly central role in learning.

Soundbites:

• “Lead at the speed of trust.”

• “Curiosity is kindness.”

• “Do fewer things exceptionally well.”

Time Stamps

00:00 – Reflecting on Leadership Resolutions
07:04 – Garth’s Leadership Resolutions
10:01 – Jason’s Leadership Resolutions
12:57 – Growing Leadership Through Trust
16:01 – Staying Connected to the Student Experience
18:55 – Protecting Joy in Leadership
21:57 – Predictions for Education in 2026
40:38 – Beard’s Book Club Outro