Why Switch: How to Change Things When Change Is Hard Feels Like a Must-Read for School Leaders
I don’t say this lightly: Switch: How to Change Things When Change Is Hard is one of the most powerful books I have read about change—and not the superficial kind, but the kind that actually lasts in the day-to-day life of a school.
From the very first pages, I felt the authors were speaking directly to the challenges I face as a principal. The book explores the conflict between logic and emotion, how to keep moving forward when the path feels unclear, and how to help people embrace new directions without forcing them. The framework of the Rider, the Elephant, and the Path gave me fresh ways to think about change in my school—not as something to push through, but as a process to guide with care.
What Stands Out
What looks like resistance is often lack of clarity. This has changed how I approach staff and teams who seem stuck. Motivation is not always the issue—sometimes the direction simply needs to be clearer.
Finding “bright spots” prevents overwhelm. Looking for what is already working, even in small ways, gives a solid place to begin. Those wins can be replicated and scaled.
Environment matters. Change does not depend only on willpower. It depends on shaping conditions that make the right path easier to follow. This has resonated with me deeply, because principals are often expected to “fix people” when in reality the structures need fixing.
Identity drives behavior. The book shows that when people shift how they see themselves—“I am a leader who values balance,” “I am a teacher who is student-centered”—that identity change fuels lasting action.
How I Am Using It
I am learning to script critical moves with more clarity when rolling out initiatives.
I am making a habit of celebrating bright spots to remind myself and my staff of what is already working.
Before expecting change, I ask: Is the path clear? Have I created the right environment?
I have started sharing the language of Switch: How to Change Things When Change Is Hard with leadership teams so we can use it together.
A Book for Fellow Educators
If you lead a school, manage a team, or are working to shape culture, Switch: How to Change Things When Change Is Hard is a book you should read. It is not just theory—it is a guide for how to move people forward in real, complicated situations. For me, it has been both grounding and inspiring, and I believe it can do the same for others in leadership.
👉 See Switch: How to Change Things When Change Is Hard on Amazon
