SamTastic Weekly Tip: 1/12/26 - You Can Cool a Heated Discussion.

This week’s Tip: You can cool a heated discussion.

Hello from Fort Lauderdale!  The NSIP staff is in South Florida today preparing to welcome SAM teams from across the US at the 19th annual National SAM Conference.

If you’ve attended a National SAM Conference before, you know this is a valuable and inspirational experience. Plan to attend next year and benefit from the five keynote this year, available in HD video mid-February.

Heated conversations can be stressful.  Communications guru Jefferson Fisher has a way to cool it down.

You’re in the middle of a heated argument that’s spiraling out of control.

Emotions are high. Voices are raised. And neither side is willing to back down.

Here are 3 simple strategies to stop a heated argument:

#1. Ask, “Is this something we have to agree on?”

The answer is probably “no.” Just recognizing that agreement isn’t necessary can immediately reduce the tension.

It shifts the focus from trying to convince the other person to simply understanding them.

#2. Use the emergency brake phrase: “Well, maybe so.”

This phrase is like an emergency brake in an argument.

It defuses the situation by suggesting that there’s a possibility the other person could be right. And often, that’s all they need to hear to start calming down.

#3. Lower your voice and slow down your words.

It’s not always about what you say, but how you say it. When someone starts raising their voice, resist the temptation to match their volume.

Instead, lower your voice and slow down your words. They’ll naturally start to mirror your lower tone, bringing the intensity of the argument down with it.

Use these 3 strategies the next time you find yourself in a heated argument.

They’ll help you keep your cool and bring the conversation back to a productive place.

The calmest voice in the room often has the most power. Stay cool and keep control.

SamTastic Weekly Tip: 1/5/26 - Welcome the New Year

This week’s Tip: Welcome the New Year

Welcome the New Year.  You set the stage as you interact with staff, students and parents as they enter your school today. You started the Christmas break with gratitude.  You worked to make staff feel seen and respected.  Why not start January the same way?  Enthusiasm for the mission and appreciation and care for others is contagious.  What you model makes a difference and sets an expectation for everyone entering your school.

Working on your own skills models your expectations, too.  Author and executive coach Melody Wilding, ”Managing Up: How to Get What You Need from the People in Charge shares a few ideas for working with others, that may be helpful in your work.

1. Build consensus before a meeting

The time to get buy-in is in the days leading up to an important conversation, not during it. Savvy professionals preview their ideas one-on-one beforehand. They reach out privately and say, “I’m thinking about proposing [X] during Friday’s check-in. What concerns do you have?” Or: “Before I bring this to the group, I want to answer your questions first.” By the time the formal meeting happens, you’ve cleared objections, built trust, and turned potentially adversaries into advocates. 

2. Avoid making yourself indispensable

When you’re the only one who can execute certain responsibilities, your manager panics at the thought of you leaving or advancing. Train a second-in-command. Show you can build systems so the team can operate without you. 

3. Don’t say ‘no’ too much

You’re absolutely entitled to set boundaries and protect your time. But if all your colleagues hear is, “No, that isn’t possible,” you’ll quickly get labeled as “difficult” or “not a team player.” Focus on what you can do instead. You teach people how to treat you in the workplace and beyond.

• Don’t say: “I’m not able to meet at that time” Instead try: “I’m available at 2 p.m. or 4 p.m. What works for you?”

• Don’t say: “I can’t stay late to finish this.“Instead try: “I can give this another hour today and pick back up in the morning.” 

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The 19^th Annual National SAM Conference is next week in Fort Lauderdale

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

• Brendan Houdek and Caleb Shomaker: Executive Speaking Coaching Seminar

SamTastic Weekly Tip: 12/15/25 -

This week’s Tip: You’ve done good work, and it matters.

Christmas break and the end of the semester is on everyone’s mind this week.  Consider:   What you do this week will be remembered throughout the break and frame how your school community view their return in January.  Staff, students, and parents will remember how they felt, not every initiative or project.

This week, share one clear message: You’ve done good work, and it matters.

How can you accomplish this? 

1. Prioritize People Over Paperwork Your relationships matter more than reports. If something can wait until January, let it. Use this time to:

• Thank staff personally (a short note or hallway conversation goes a long way)

• Check in on staff who seem stretched or disengaged

• Be visible, calm, and joyful — your tone sets the emotional climate

  
  

2. Protect Staff Energy Burnout peaks before holidays.  Consider:

• Canceling or shortening meetings

• Avoiding last-minute initiatives or “one more thing” emails

• Offering small flexibilities (dress-down days, lighter schedules)

• Limiting emails to what staff needs to know this week ~ don’t address January

• Encouraging staff to disconnect from school during the break: refresh, renew, relax

• Explicitly say: “Please disconnect—you’ve earned it.” 

  
  

3. Take Care of Yourself

A depleted principal can’t lead well. 

• Rest without guilt

• Reflect on what worked so far

• Celebrate your TimeTrack gains.  Save next steps and reflective work for later.  Taking time during the break to refresh, renew and relax is critical for your success in 2026.

  
  

Start the Christmas break with gratitude, clarity, and calm. If your staff and students leave feeling seen and respected, you’ve done your most important work.

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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

·      Brendan Houdek and Caleb Shomaker: Executive Speaking Coaching Seminar