When “This Isn’t Working” Is Actually Useful Feedback

It happens almost every time. A new system launches, something goes wrong, frustration builds, and someone says, “This isn’t working.” But does an early problem mean the idea is bad—or are we simply learning something we couldn’t see during planning? In this episode of Your Morning Boost, Adam Busch shares a real experience implementing a new MTSS system and explores one of the hardest parts of leading change: knowing when to adjust, when to stay the course, and how to tell the difference. You’ll hear why early implementation problems aren’t necessarily a verdict—they’re evidence. The challenge for leaders is learning how to interpret that evidence. This episode explores how to: Separate normal implementation friction from genuine design problems Listen to frustration without immediately abandoning the work Turn vague complaints into useful feedback Prioritize which problems actually need to be fixed Close the feedback loop with staff Balance responsiveness with resolve A successful launch may not be one where nothing goes wrong. It may be one where we learn quickly enough to make the system better without losing sight of why we built it in the first place. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/your-morning-boost-a-school-leadership-podcast--6630377/support. Thank You for Listening!  This has been an episode from The FowardED Network—Where we are Advancing Voices and Shaping Education. We are dedicated to supporting everyone invested in K-12 success: teachers, leaders, parents, and community advocates. Want to keep the conversation going? Subscribe: Never miss an insight. Hit the subscribe or follow button on your podcast app to automatically receive our next episode. Share the Knowledge: If this episode provided value, please take a moment to rate and review us! Your five-star reviews help new teachers, parents, and leaders find our network. Explore the Network: This show is just one part of the ForwardEd Network family. Head over to our network page to explore our full roster of interconnected podcasts, including CTRL Shift Lead, Vice Principal UnOfficed, From Carpool to College, and Your Morning Boost. Connect with Us: Have a question or an idea for a future episode? Reach out to us at [email protected] or find us on social media using the tag #theForwardEDnetwork. Ready for your next boost? Browse our catalog and discover your next great listen on The ForwardED Network. This episode includes AI-generated content.