School started this week.

School started this week.

So I left town and went rock climbing.

After almost 30 years in education, one of the most useful things I could do for the schools I oversee this week was stay away.

Their school leaders had 101 details to manage.

More importantly, they needed to establish themselves as the leader on their campus.

They didn’t need me hovering.

An owner, supervisor or board member hanging around trying to “help” can easily do the opposite.

Every time staff look past the Head of School to you for an answer, you weaken their authority.

Every time you step in unnecessarily, you make it harder for them to establish their leadership.

So I went to Krabi.

We rock climbed. Watched sunsets. Hit the gym. Obviously.

And I gave our leaders the space to lead.

Owners and board members should be visible. They should ask hard questions. They should hold leaders accountable.

But good governance isn’t about being absent or present.

It’s knowing when your presence helps and when it gets in the way.

Sometimes the best thing you can do for a leader is get out of their way.