**Title: Leadership and Building a Healthy Culture in Hybrid Schools**

**Introduction**

Hello and welcome to the Hybrid School Builders Podcast. I am your host, Rebecca Foley, and I am so glad you are joining me today. I am a fellow grassroots founder who is hoping to make your journey toward founding a sustainable hybrid school a little bit easier. If you are dreaming of starting a hybrid school or perhaps you've already gotten started, you are in the right place. Join me as we dive into real stories, practical tips, and hard-won lessons that I have learned to help you launch and grow your program with confidence. Remember, building a hybrid school is not just about creating a business or creating jobs. It's not even about just serving the children who attend the program. It's literally about reshaping the landscape of education. And we can do that one community, one entrepreneur, and one program at a time.

**Understanding Leadership**

After reflecting on our last episode, I wanted to expand on the topic of leadership. As a founder, leadership becomes a crucial skill as soon as you have teammates. Even with a small team of one or two people, leadership is essential to guide your project successfully. While I don't claim to be an expert, I would like to share personal insights from building a program from the ground up—insights you might not find in traditional resources.

**Building Culture**

Leadership and culture are intricately connected. As you're developing an organization, focusing on creating a healthy culture is a significant part of leadership. This involves empowering those around you, trusting them, delegating responsibilities, and fostering teamwork. There’s a delicate balance between teamwork and delegation, and between trust and support. All these elements contribute to a cycle that nurtures the culture you're establishing.

**Introducing the Three Hs: Honor, Humility, and Humor**

One of the best approaches I've discovered is what I’ve termed the Three Hs: Honor, Humility, and Humor. It’s crucial to create a culture that empowers team members, recognizing their strengths rather than managing their tasks. Honor those who excel, encouraging them to use their skills to benefit the team. Humility is about acknowledging your own limitations and valuing the abilities of others. Not trying to do everything on your own is a sign of strength, not weakness. Finally, Humor creates a welcoming atmosphere where team members can engage with one another positively, incorporating laughter and light-heartedness into daily interactions.

**Encouraging Vulnerability and Trust**

Brene Brown emphasizes the importance of trust and vulnerability. In building a team, vulnerability means being open about your weaknesses and challenges. It’s about creating an environment where other team members can do the same without fear of judgment. By fostering such openness, you solidify your team's foundation of trust.

**Balancing Gifts and Challenges**

Patrick Lencioni speaks about the flexibility needed within teams, where each member’s gifts can also present challenges. Understanding your own working style and that of your peers allows for better collaboration and support. It's easy for individuals to burn out trying to take on too much, but communicating effectively and distributing tasks appropriately can prevent this.

**Conclusion**

Building a healthy team culture is fundamental and transformative. Leadership involves supporting your team members fully while recognizing the unique contributions each person brings. Encouraging open communication, honoring one another's strengths, and maintaining a sense of humor are interconnected components that facilitate a dynamic and effective team. Ultimately, this framework will extend beyond your immediate team, benefiting teachers, families, and even into classrooms, setting the tone for a thriving educational environment.

Thanks for reading today. Don't forget to subscribe and check out the resources I am developing at startahybridschool.com. Send me an email anytime—I would love to hear from you! Until next time.