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Accelerate Your Performance is a weekly podcast hosted by Dr. Janet Pilcher, Managing Director of Studer Education and author of Hardwiring Excellence in Education. Every week, Janet highlights tactical and actionable strategies that leaders in educational organizations can hardwire to meet successful student, service, and people outcomes. Listen now, and you’ll see why it’s ranked by ListenNotes in the top 5% of podcasts worldwide. As she introduces a variety of pivotal leadership practices from the 9 Pillars of Leadership Excellence, Janet underscores the importance of seamlessly integrating each practice to deliver positive and impactful results. For each leadership practice she introduces, Janet provides a solid foundation and then collaborates with coaching experts to dig deeper and demonstrate its practical application. Janet also interviews leaders and partners who excel at the tactics to hear about their implementation journeys, hurdles they’ve faced, and their notable achievements. To bring it all together, she offers a broader perspective on leadership, interviewing guests about a diverse array of topics on their paths to achieving organizational excellence. Follow for weekly insights and actionable strategies to accelerate your performance and become your best at work!

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Check latest episodes from Accelerate Your Performance podcast

Listen, Learn, Improve: The Gift of Feedback

2026/04/20

Getting feedback is one thing; capturing feedback with the mindset that it is a gift is another. The idea that “feedback is a gift” relates to proactively seeking feedback to better understand what is working well and what needs improvement. Join Dr. Janet Pilcher and, Kathy Myles, a Studer Education Leader Coach, as they explore the idea of feedback being a gift and listening to others for the purpose of learning. Kathy shares her personal experiences and suggests that feedback isn't personal; it's about the system, and it's about improvement. When leaders hold this mindset, they see feedback as a gift and use feedback to grow and improve. Listen as Janet and Kathy discuss: how leaders can listen to learn, tips for developing the mindset that feedback is a gift, and tactics for effectively listening to learn. Recommended Resources: 9 Pillars of Leadership Excellence: A New Operating System for Education, Feedback Is a Gift...or is it Follow Host Dr. Janet Pilcher on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janetpilcher/

DHP 2026 Virtual K12 Leadership Conference Launch

2026/04/13

Good leaders continuously seek improvement; they want to grow and learn. They lead the way in growing, improving, and surpassing status quo. The 9 Pillars of Leadership Excellence frame these kinds of continuous improvement efforts and shape how leaders execute effective leadership practices. The Pillars offer the means to grow, learn, and excel in leadership. In this episode, Dr. Janet Pilcher discusses the DHP 2026 Virtual K12 Leadership Conference, an opportunity for leaders to see the 9 Pillars in action, grow their leadership skills, and share their continuous improvement stories. Listen as Dr. Pilcher provides an overview of this conference and the 9 Pillars of Leadership Excellence. Our goal is to support leaders who are on a continuous improvement journey develop effective leadership practices and learn how to use specific strategies, concepts, and tactics in everyday work to be the best leaders they can be. Recommended Resources: 9 Pillars of Leadership Excellence: A New Operating System for Education, Building Lasting Impact with 9 Pillars for Leadership Excellence Follow Host Dr. Janet Pilcher on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janetpilcher/

Words Have Power

2026/04/06

"Words have power," which is why Dr. Janet Pilcher issues a call for leaders to be thoughtful of words, choosing them carefully and using them in positive ways. Leaders model how to use words effectively, and operationalizing values, including those related to how words are used, encourages the use of words that build a positive workplace culture. Listen as Dr. Pilcher discusses two compelling quotes about the power of words, explains why words matter, challenges leaders to be intentional about their words, and ties the power of words to Pillar 3: Communicate for Alignment. Recommended Resources: 9 Pillars of Leadership Excellence: A New Operating System for Education, Use Words With Purpose, Count Your Words Follow Host Dr. Janet Pilcher on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janetpilcher/

From Survey Results to Real Growth

2026/03/30

Improvement is a team effort, and teams must support one another to be able to move forward together. As Dr. Jennifer Kubista, Superintendent of Central School District 13J in Oregon states, “You have to be reflective and working hard together.” Survey data provides the data and feedback for an organization to reflect on and work on together. In fact, effectively using survey results can improve an organization and its culture. In this episode, Dr. Kubista shares how acting on survey data has done just that in her school district. This episode addresses questions such as What is the value of survey data?Why is it important to act on survey data and feedback?How does survey data connect with organizational improvement? Listen as Dr. Janet Pilcher and Dr. Kubista discuss these and other questions and explore the powerful story of one district’s journey toward improvement by using survey results to move toward real growth. Recommended Resources: 9 Pillars of Leadership Excellence: A New Operating System for Education, Use Feedback to Unlock Operational Excellence, Convert Surveys to Solutions Follow Host Dr. Janet Pilcher on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janetpilcher/

Lead With a People-First Mindset

2026/03/23

In this episode, Dr. KK Owen, a leader coach at Studer Education, shares that “our best chance of success is through our people.” As she explains, it’s for this reason that people need to understand that they are valued and that they bring value to an organization. Building a people-first mindset allows for this kind of focus through recognition, intentional communication, and shining lights on bright spots. What is a people-first mindset? What does it look like? Why is it important, and how can it be built? Listen as Dr. Janet Pilcher and Dr. Owen discuss these questions and explain why leaders must "just start" intentionally recognizing good work, shining lights on bright spots, upholding the good work and value of others, and maintaining a “people-first” mindset. Recommended Resources: 9 Pillars of Leadership Excellence: A New Operating System for Education, Transform District Culture with People-First Strategies, People-First Leadership in Classrooms and Communities Follow Host Dr. Janet Pilcher on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janetpilcher/

Service Matters: Lead With Excellence

2026/03/16

According to Dr. Reggie Todd, the guest in this episode, “Service excellence is critical because it directly shapes the experiences people have with an organization.” The truth is that service matters, and service excellence is an all day, every day, all-in proposition. What does it mean to have great customer service? What does service excellence entail? How can you build service excellence practices in your organization? These are questions addressed in this episode. Join Dr. Janet Pilcher and Dr. Todd as they dive into these and other questions related to Pillar 6: Exceed Customer Expectations from the 9 Pillars of Leadership Excellence. Listen to learn how you can transform your customer service practices from good to great and how you can positively shape the experiences people have with your organization. Recommended Resources: 9 Pillars of Leadership Excellence: A New Operating System for Education, Provide Excellent Service, How K12 District Leaders Can Foster Service Excellence Follow Host Dr. Janet Pilcher on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janetpilcher/

Use Words With Purpose

2026/03/09

Do you want to improve your communication skills but don’t know how to get started? This episode of the Accelerate Your Performance podcast is for you! Join Dr. Janet Pilcher in the third episode in a series focused on communication and Pillar 3: Communicate for Alignment, part of the 9 Pillars of Leadership Excellence. In this episode, Dr. Pilcher provides practical tactics that you can use to communicate effectively and build a positive, trusting workplace culture. Because as Dr. Pilcher explains, as leaders, our communication “can make the biggest difference for those we serve each and every day.” In this episode, Dr. Pilcher shares how to effectively use two tactics from the 9 Pillars for Leadership Excellence Toolkit that are specifically related to communicating for alignment: Key Words at Key Times and Starting with "Why." Listen to hear why these tactics are important and how you can immediately use them to enhance your communication by using words with purpose. Recommended Resources: Pillar 3: Communicate for Alignment, 9 Pillars of Leadership Excellence: A New Operating System for Education, Words Have Power Follow Host Dr. Janet Pilcher on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janetpilcher/

Tackle Communication Barriers

2026/03/02

Effective leadership necessitates effective communication. If you want to grow your communication skills, join Dr. Janet Pilcher this week for the second episode in a series related to Pillar 3: Communicate for Alignment. In this episode, she shares specific communication barriers and ways to tackle to those barriers. Listen as Dr. Pilcher explains how communication barriers impact employees and leadership and how you can grow your leadership through effectively managing communication barriers. This episode will leave you armed with at least one thing that you can begin doing immediately to improve your communication skills. Then, as Dr. Pilcher suggests, "when you think of that one thing, go do it and then see what happens." Recommended Resources: Pillar 3: Communicate for Alignment, 9 Pillars of Leadership Excellence: A New Operating System for Education Follow Host Dr. Janet Pilcher on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janetpilcher/

Pillar 3: Communicate for Alignment

2026/02/23

“Great leadership requires leaders to be great communicators.” That’s why Dr. Janet Pilcher shares a deeper dive into Pillar 3: Communicate for Alignment, one of the overarching 9 Pillars of Leadership Excellence. Join her for the first in a series of episodes exploring: the importance of communicating effectively;the value of communicating for alignment;the barriers to effective communication; and the tactics to ensure communication is positive, impactful, and results-driven.Dr. Pilcher also pauses to express gratitude for coaches and partners doing meaningful work in the field. As she shares, “We can always spend time learning to improve and expressing gratitude.” Recommended Resources: Building Lasting Impact with 9 Pillars for Leadership Excellence, 9 Pillars of Leadership Excellence: A New Operating System for Education, 9 Pillars of Leadership Excellence Toolkit Follow Host Dr. Janet Pilcher on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janetpilcher/

Power of the Pause: Reflecting on How to Improve Processes

2026/02/09

Sometimes, a pause is all that is needed to get an organization moving faster. This may sound counterintuitive, but, as Dr. Casey Blochowiak explains, pausing to reflect on what may be bogging down systems and processes allows organizations to refine their work, improve processes, and operate more efficiently. Listen as Dr. Janet Pilcher talks with Dr. Blochowiak, Vice President of Coaching at Studer Education, about how improving processes can save resources that can then be invested in students and their learning. The partner stories Dr. Blochowiak shares demonstrate how organizations are effectively using the power of the pause to strengthen processes and reinvest in student success. Recommended Resource: Go Slow to Go Fast Follow Host Dr. Janet Pilcher on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janetpilcher/

9 Pillars of Leadership Excellence: An Operating System for Results

2026/02/02

Join Dr. Janet Pilcher, Founder and President of Studer Education, as she reflects on four decades in education leadership and shares why this moment calls for greater focus, consistency, and action. In this episode, Dr. Pilcher explains the 9 Pillars of Leadership Excellence—a practical leadership operating system designed to help organizations move from intention to results. Listen to hear how leaders can: Establish consistent leadership behaviors and routines that build trust and alignment.Focus on what matters most to drive engagement, performance, and improvement.Create people-first systems that sustain excellence over time.This episode sets the foundation for a deeper exploration of the 9 Pillars and invites leaders to reflect on where they are, where they want to go, and the next step they can take to lead their organizations to the next level. Follow Host Dr. Janet Pilcher on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janetpilcher/

Change Your Organization’s Culture One Conversation at a Time

2026/01/26

Are you looking for an effective way to shift organizational culture? Listen to hear why Ms. Marni Herrington, Deputy Superintendent and Chief Academic Officer of the Oxford School District in Mississippi, can confidently proclaim, “rounding has changed our culture.” Find out how the Oxford School District is using rounding to build a positive culture that is focused on improvement as Dr. Pilcher and Deputy Superintendent Herrington discuss how rounding upholds the bright spots, captures meaningful feedback, identifies areas for improvement, and shapes effective processes. They also explore how the K12 Rounding app has enhanced the district’s rounding efforts and allowed them to capitalize on the power of recognizing people for their good work. Recommended Resources: K-12 Leader Rounding, Strengthen Your District with Rounding and Recognition Follow Host Dr. Janet Pilcher on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janetpilcher/

Small Conversations, Big Impact: Strengthening Culture Through Rounding

2026/01/19

When applied consistently and effectively, one simple practice can have a tremendous impact on culture and create a ripple effect across your organization. What is that practice? Rounding. In this episode, Dr. Janet Pilcher welcomes Samantha Sands, Director of Customer Success for K-12 Rounding, to discuss how small, intentional interactions help leaders build trust, strengthen culture, and boost engagement. Together, Janet and Samantha explore what successful rounding looks like in practice, why recognition and follow-up matter, and how leaders can turn what they learn into meaningful change. Samantha also shares real examples of how districts are using rounding to ensure employees feel seen, valued, and heard, and how the right tools can help leaders transform insights into action that drives improvement. Recommended Resources: K-12 Leader Rounding, Strengthen Your District with Rounding and Recognition Follow Host Dr. Janet Pilcher on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janetpilcher/

Building Lasting Impact with 9 Pillars for Leadership Excellence

2026/01/12

Join Dr. Janet Pilcher, Founder and President of Studer Education, as she welcomes the new year with reflections on a longstanding commitment to worthwhile work that helps educational leaders make a meaningful, lasting difference. In this episode, Dr. Pilcher introduces the 9 Pillars of Leadership Excellence—a practical framework grounded in decades of field experience—to help leaders strengthen culture, align teams, and drive measurable results. Listen to hear how leaders can: Establish shared practices that build consistency and trust across their organizations.Apply leadership tactics to strengthen communication, recognition, and performance.Take purposeful, actionable steps that create lasting impact for students, staff, and communities.Whether you’re leading a school, district, or team, this episode offers inspiration and practical guidance to move leadership from potential to performance—one step, one tactic, and one pillar at a time. Follow Host Dr. Janet Pilcher on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janetpilcher/

Express Gratitude for Those on Your Journey

2025/12/08

Join Dr. Janet Pilcher, Founder and President of Studer Education, for the final Accelerate Your Performance episode of the year as she reflects on the moments, partnerships, and lessons that shaped Studer Education’s path. Dr. Pilcher expresses her deep gratitude for the early leaders who helped lay the foundation for this work and celebrates the enduring impact of aligning culture, strategy, and purpose in education. Recommended Resources: Keep Your Organizational Flywheel Spinning with Gratitude, How Gratitude Anchors Organizations, Show Your Gratitude Follow Host Dr. Janet Pilcher on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janetpilcher/

Podcast reviews

Read Accelerate Your Performance podcast reviews

5 out of 5

31 reviews

★★★★★

CharleighO 2025/01/16

Inspiring and Practical for Education Leaders!

Studer Education’s podcast is a must-listen for anyone passionate about improving education. Each episode is filled with actionable insights, real-wor...

★★★★★

AlabamaStandstill 2024/03/07

Must listen for anyone attempting organizational transformation

I love the format of the latest episodes! I like how there is a deep dive into the strategic actions or tactics leaders can take to achieve all of the...

★★★★★

toxicmasculinity 2024/03/07

Great for leaders and those that want to become leaders

This podcast gives excellent and actionable advice to leaders who want to make sure they create a positive culture for the employees and the people th...

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