Day 1 #WLE Reflections: Choosing Growth in Uncertainty

Day 1 of the Women Leading Ed Summit began with a simple reminder: we must show up for ourselves so we can fully show up for others.

That mindset carried into a powerful conversation between Annie Duke and Julia Rafal-Baer that really pushed my thinking, especially around decision-making.

One of the biggest shifts for me was letting go of the idea that we need 100% certainty before we act. In education, we are constantly making decisions without perfect information. Waiting for clarity is not a strategy; it often keeps us from moving forward. Strong leadership is about making thoughtful decisions with what we know and being willing to learn and adjust along the way.

Another concept that stayed with me was Annie’s idea of “kill criteria” from her book Quit. Instead of assuming we should push through everything, she challenged us to define in advance the conditions under which we would stop, pivot, or walk away. That kind of clarity requires discipline, but it also removes emotion from the moment and reframes quitting as a strategic choice, not a failure.

And finally, a reminder that felt both simple and hard in practice. When faced with negativity or confrontation, we do not have to react. Annie shared a story where she chose to stay calm and curious rather than match someone else’s negative energy. It was a powerful example of staying grounded in purpose.

Day 1 challenged me to think about decision-making and leadership. I’m heading into Day 2 ready to keep growing.

By Devon, Vice President of Teaching and Learning