In Episode 261, I’m coming to you on location from Edmond, Oklahoma, where I had the opportunity to sit down with my friend Joe Beckman at the OASSP conference.Joe has spent more than 20 years traveling the world with one simple mission: reclaim human connection.And if we’re honest, that mission has never been more urgent. Loneliness is at an all-time high. Belonging and self-worth feel fragile. Technology is louder than conversation. So what does that mean for school leaders?In this conversation, Joe challenges us to rethink where connection lives on our priority list. It’s not one more thing on the plate.It is the plate.We talk about:Why connection must be the foundation of leadershipThe powerful “Chinette plate” analogy and what it means for cultureHow storytelling builds trust and opens students’ mindsWhy vulnerability accelerates connection in classroomsThe Big Tobacco → Big Tech comparison and what leaders must understandHow adults must model healthy tech boundariesWhy conferences and networks matter in fighting leadership isolationThe courage required to lean into difficult conversationsJoe also shares how he is personally leaning into leadership right now by stepping into uncomfortable spaces and using his voice where it matters most.If you care about culture…If you care about your people… If you care about leading well in a distracted world…This episode is for you.Connect with Joe: www.joebeckman.comThank you to our Amazing SponsorsThis episode is sponored by DigiCoach, helping leaders capture real-time instructional data, provide meaningful feedback, and build clarity through strong systems. Go to https://www.digicoach.com/ and tell them you heard about them here on the Leaning into Leadership podcast for special partner pricing.This episode is also brought to you by HeyTutor, delivering high-impact, research-based tutoring that supports students while reducing leadership overwhelm. Connect with them at HeyTutor.com