Leading with Heart: When Everything Feels Important

3 days ago
2 min read

Lately, life has just felt full in every possible way. There is the everyday work of leading a school, supporting staff, making decisions, handling challenges behind the scenes, and trying to show up consistently for students each day. At the same time, there are end-of-year events to plan, meetings that continue to fill the calendar, conversations about next year already beginning, and the reality that life outside of work does not stop simply because work gets busy.

Truthfully, it can feel overwhelming at times. That is the part of leadership people do not always see. There are moments where everything feels important, everything feels urgent, and trying to decide what needs your immediate attention versus what can wait is not always easy. Sometimes it feels like there are not enough hours in the day to fully do everything the way you want to.

What has grounded me through this season has been my core group of people. Every principal eventually finds those people within their building, the ones you trust deeply, the ones whose capacity you intentionally build because you know they share the same mission and vision that you do. Those relationships become invaluable because they help carry the work alongside you. They remind you that leadership is never meant to happen alone.

While my core group probably already knows how much I rely on them, I truly hope they also know how much they mean to me. I try to be intentional about thanking them because it is important to me that they know they are seen, valued, and appreciated. Their support, honesty, dedication, and willingness to step in help more than they probably even realize.

Lately, I have also found comfort in quieter weekends. After weeks that feel nonstop, I have realized how important it is to give myself time to decompress, reset, and simply breathe. Those quiet moments have become necessary. They remind me to slow down, listen to my body, and ground myself in why I do this work every day.

One thing I say to students every single day is to “make good choices.” Lately, I have reflected on how much that applies to me as well. Leadership is about trying every day to make the best choices possible with the information, responsibilities, and pressures in front of you. Sometimes you look back and realize a decision could have been handled differently. What matters most is being willing to reflect, grow from it, make better choices moving forward, and continue leading with positivity, purpose, and students at the center of every decision.

This work is not easy.

It is a calling.

Some days it feels heavy. Some days it feels beautiful. Most days, it feels like both at the same time. What matters most is remembering to pause, take a breath, ground yourself, and keep moving forward with heart.

Desiree LaFontaine is an Elementary Principal with the New York City Department of Education, and her philosophy is to "Lead with love," focusing on care, trust, and high expectations for students and staff. She is committed to helping create inclusive learning spaces where everyone can thrive. This piece was originally posted May 21, 2026 in her Leading with Heart journal and is cross-posted here with permission. Learn more about Desiree here.