SamTastic Weekly Tip: 10/6/25 - Have Friends and Potential Friends

This week’s tip: Have Friends and Potential Friends

SAM Principals know they can have friends and potential friends.  They can’t have enemies.  Why?  The mission is too important.  You have to stay focused on bringing all staff and school community members working on the common goal: Doing our best for student academic, social and emotional growth.

SAM teams work on how to communicate effectively.  Making others feel important is key.  What do you do with someone on your staff who believe they are always right…and you are always wrong?

Jefferson Fisher, a trial attorney who shares his advice on effective communications in books and podcasts, has a simple formula to follow:

“Remember: the goal isn’t to prove them wrong. It’s to keep your cool when it happens. Here’s exactly how to do it:

#1. Recognize the brick wall.

• If it feels like you’re talking to a brick wall, it’s because you are.

• People who always have to be right have tied their identity to it.

• That’s a wall you can’t change, but you can manage it.

#2. Don’t prove. Defuse.

• The harder you work to prove them wrong, the more they'll double down on their opinion.

• Instead, say something simple like, “Maybe you’re right” or “Maybe so.”

• That defuses the situation and prevents you from bumping your head against the wall they’ve put up.

#3. Initiate a second conversation.

• When things cool down, it’s easier to create a safe space to have a discussion that doesn’t feel threatening.

• Sit down and say, “Hey, can we revisit [topic]? It helps me to know you considered my perspective.”

• That way, you’ve opened the door for a real conversation.

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Note: 87% of the seats have been taken for the 19^th Annual National SAM Conference. 

Use this link to register::  https://registration.samprocess.com/ 

You will also find a registration link at www.SamProcess.com 

Would you like to be a breakout session presenter?   http://bit.ly/4pw0wWB

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19^th Annual National SAM Conference

Registration link:  https://registration.samprocess.com/ 

A few things to consider when planning to attend:

Ø The conference is January 15-18. 2026.

Ø To be eligible to attend, you must be a SAM team member doing the process with efficacy, NSIP staff, Board member or presenter.

Ø The conference will be in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Marriott Harbor Beach Resort

Keynote Speakers

·      Will Parker, Principals Matter: Living your Best Life as an Educator

·      Will Bowen, You Can’t Complain Your Way to Success

·      Tracie Swilley, The PrinciPAL Effect: Setting the Vibe, Energy, and Excellence Every Day

·      John Antonetti, Personal Response: Am I safe to share my thinking?

·      William Martinez, Signing the Song: The Power of Belonging

Pre-Conference All-Day Workshop Presenters

·      Jim Masters, Beyond Why and What – Getting to How School Leaders Make a Difference

·      Ken Williams, Better Teachers, Better Results: Where Students Learn Because Of US

·      Willow Sweeney, Top 20 Moves for Building Effective Staff and Student Relationships

·      Executive Speaking Coaching Seminar, New York Speech Coaching