# 385. Focusing on Lead Measures Instead of Noise: Featuring Dave Schmittou

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/aspire-to-lead-881344/385-focusing-on-lead-measures-instead-of-noise-featuring-dave-schmittou
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/aspire-to-lead-881344/385-focusing-on-lead-measures-instead-of-noise-featuring-dave-schmittou.md
Podcast: [Aspire to Lead](https://stenobird.com/podcast/aspire-to-lead-881344)
Published: 2026-06-21T01:45:00+00:00
Episode link: https://joshstamper.com/focusing-on-lead-measures-instead-of-noise-featuring-dave-schmittou
Audio file: https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/ea557c03-fcdc-417f-823a-4f9f74997066.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/aspire-to-lead-881344/episodes/385-focusing-on-lead-measures-instead-of-noise-featuring-dave-schmittou
Duration seconds: 1713

## Resource

What if the biggest key to better leadership is not focusing on the lagging measures, but learning how to measure what truly matters? In this episode of Aspire to Lead, Joshua Stamper sits down with Dave Schmittou to talk about leadership, priority management, and the difference between lead measures and lagging measures. Dave shares practical insight from his work with schools, districts, and organizations, and explains why leaders must clarify the results they want before they can effectively guide others. Together, they explore why so many leaders get stuck managing process instead of outcomes, how overcontrolling can create dependence, and what it looks like to build independence and interdependence in staff and students. Dave also shares a powerful story about getting out of the way, the value of focusing on lead measures, and how leaders can create cultures centered on real growth and measurable progress. About Dave Schmittou: As an educator for more than two decades, Dave has earned a reputation for being a disruptor of the status quo, an innovator, and a change agent. Having served as a classroom teacher, school-based administrator, central office director, and professor of Educational Leadership, he often uses real-life stories and examples of his own life and career to describe why and how we need to confront “the way we have always done it.” He is now the Director of Leadership and Development with the Teach Better Team where he speaks, consults, and partners with districts around the country. He has written multiple books, including “It’s Like Riding a Bike: How to make learning last a lifetime”, “Bold Humility”, “Making Assessment Work for Educators Who Hate Data but Love Kids”, and “Poking the Bear”. Follow Dave Schmittou: Website: https://schmittou.net T…

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