"We build culture 30 seconds at a time."
Those are not my words. I heard Dr. Joe Sanfelippo, Superintendent of Fall Creek School District, speak at a conference last week. He talked about the role that every individual within a school system plays in defining the culture and climate of the school. He talked about those 30-second moments that have a lasting ripple effect on the students and adults around us... sometimes in ways we would never anticipate. What are these 30-second moments? They are small moments such as greeting a student at the door or recognizing the work of someone by name. He invited us to consider what becomes possible when we are intentional about how we show up for and with others in these 30-second interactions.
It got me thinking.
It got me thinking about the small choices I make every day. The words I speak. The questions I ask. The eye contact I make. The smile I share or don't share.
It got me thinking about the choice I make to put down my phone and make eye contact with my children when they come home and feel like talking.
It got me thinking about the choice I make to take a deep breath and actively listen to others, even when (especially when) my to-do list feels long.
It got me thinking about how I respond when a colleague is having a hard time, holding space and offering support so the next time they feel comfortable asking for help.
At Leadwell, we work with school districts and mission-driven organizations to understand and improve their organizational culture. This often involves comprehensive data collection, rigorous data analysis, modeling meeting facilitation, engaging team-building strategies, and personalized executive coaching. All of that matters, as we unpack and support the individual, team, and systems-level work of building culture.
And, the small moments matter too. When we give someone permission to vent. When we celebrate a small or big win. When we ask for feedback at the end of a meeting (e.g., what's one thing that worked? what's one thing I can do better or differently?)
What 30-second choices will you make today?
In partnership,
Christina (and Jodi)
With credit to Dr. Joe Sanfelippo for his "Lead from Where You Are" keynote and gratitude to the Maine School Management Association 2025 Conference.
