On today’s episode of the McCoy Leadership Podcast, I sat down with Dr. Cynthia Rapaido, a powerhouse in K-12 education and leadership. We talked about the challenges of transitioning from teaching students to leading adults, the game-changing role of mentorship, and how to define—and redefine—your personal “why” as you climb the ladder. Dr. Cynthia dropped insights on building inclusive, thriving school cultures and preparing students for real-world success, plus she shared wisdom from her new book, “Step Up Your School Leadership Game.” If you want actionable strategies to elevate your impact as a leader, this episode is packed with gold.

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Download your free episode guide here!

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00:00 "From Struggle to Teaching Passion"

05:12 Universal Value of Apprenticeships

08:50 Mentorship Toward Principalship Journey

11:16 "Discovering and Evolving Your Why"

17:16 Creating a Positive School Environment

18:58 Bridging Schools and Industry Needs

23:51 "Preparing Students for Opportunities"

28:07 "Should Everyone Be a Principal?"

29:33 "Choosing Leadership in Education"

33:23 "Rapid Fire Leadership Questions"

36:46 AI Advancements and Future Connections

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Here are my top 3 takeaways:

• 💡 Mentorship is Essential: Dr. Rapaido emphasized that real growth happens with strong mentorship—both from within your school and across your professional network. Don’t wait to be assigned a mentor; proactively seek out guidance to expand your perspective.

• 🧭 Your “Why” Will Evolve: Your motivation for leading will shift over time. Dr. Rapaido encourages leaders to regularly reassess their ‘why’—it’s not just about personal growth or compensation. Staying grounded in your purpose is key to navigating challenges and inspiring those you lead.

• 🚀 Hands-On Learning Trumps Theory: There’s no substitute for real-world experience. Whether it’s “student principling” or shadowing others, Dr. Rapaido recommends practical learning opportunities to bridge the gap between theory and day-to-day leadership realities.

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Want to learn more about McCoy Leadership? Check out our website, https://www.mccoyleadership.com/ and don't forget to subscribe to receive all the latest podcast episode.

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Links

Cynthia's LinkedIn

Cynthia's Book

Book Recommendation

On today’s episode of the McCoy Leadership Podcast, we sat down with Molly Denham—Air Force veteran, admin expert, and founder of Vexa Services and Vexa Software. Molly shared her inspiring journey from flipping slides on an overhead projector to leading executive support at the Pentagon and building her own tech company. We explored how admin professionals are true leaders and strategic partners in any organization, the power of adapting to change, and why communication is the secret sauce to success—especially in the virtual world. If you’re ready to level up your impact, this episode is packed with practical insights you won’t want to miss!

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Download your free episode guide here!

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00:00 Administrative Career Progression Shifts

05:54 Adapting to Technological Progress

07:23 "Evolution of Administrative Tools"

13:16 "Admins as Strategic Leaders"

14:47 Admin Professionals as Office Leaders

21:14 Virtual vs. In-Person Roles

25:20 Virtual Communication Essential for Success

27:41 Miscommunication in Business Deals

30:32 Clarifying Executive Instructions

35:48 "Subscribe and Rate Us

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3 Key Takeaways:

• Adaptability is Non-Negotiable: Technology, from the first workplace computers to AI, has never “replaced” great administrative professionals—instead, it’s those who adapt who remain valuable. “The environment will change and you either have to change with it or you will be replaced by somebody who does.”

• Leadership Isn’t About Titles: Molly stressed that true leadership can come from any seat in an organization. Admin professionals act as a central point, often having a unique, influential perspective that can drive teams forward.

• Communication is King—Especially Virtually: With remote work on the rise, Molly shared that the #1 reason virtual admin relationships fail is lack of clear, consistent communication. Setting expectations and maintaining regular check-ins is critical for success.

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On today’s McCoy Leadership Podcast, I sat down with executive coach John Little to talk all things leadership growth. John shared how his journey from sports and broadcasting to coaching taught him that practice and personal development never stop—no matter your career stage. We dug into overcoming limiting beliefs, building your leadership brand, and why accountability is truly the highest form of kindness. If you’re ready to level up your impact, remember: keep showing up, keep practicing, and never stop learning. For more insights, check out the full episode!

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Download your free episode guide here!

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00:00 Leadership Journey Across Industries

04:42 "Leadership Lessons from Sports Struggles"

07:35 "Continual Learning for Lasting Success"

10:37 Preparing Teams for Success

14:26 Breaking Small Business Mindset Cycles

19:02 "Self-Branding for Leadership Success"

19:57 "Leaders: Connect as People"

25:04 Seek Clarity, Show Understanding

29:20 Bridging Generational Gaps at Work

31:17 Understanding Personal Perceptions

35:49 Navigating Difficult Conversations

39:51 "Accountability: Keys to Success"

43:08 AI Fashion Feedback for Gen X

44:06 "Rate and Explore More Episodes"

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Here are three key takeaways for anyone looking to elevate their leadership:

✅ Practice isn’t just for athletes or musicians—it’s critical for leaders, too. Ongoing self-development, whether through reading, feedback, or new challenges, is the key to sustainable success.

✅ Building strong teams starts with intentional onboarding and training. If your team isn’t performing, first look at the processes and preparation you’ve provided—not just the results.

✅ Your identity as a leader is your brand. You can (and should) evolve it! Consistency, vulnerability, and a growth mindset help you connect with your team and create a culture of accountability and continual improvement.

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Want to learn more about McCoy Leadership? Check out our website, https://www.mccoyleadership.com/ and don't forget to subscribe to receive all the latest podcast episode.

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Links

Molly's Website

LinkedIn

Book Recommendation

On today’s McCoy Leadership Podcast, I sat down with executive coach John Little to talk all things leadership growth. John shared how his journey from sports and broadcasting to coaching taught him that practice and personal development never stop—no matter your career stage. We dug into overcoming limiting beliefs, building your leadership brand, and why accountability is truly the highest form of kindness. If you’re ready to level up your impact, remember: keep showing up, keep practicing, and never stop learning. For more insights, check out the full episode!

------

Download your free episode guide here!

------

00:00 Leadership Journey Across Industries

04:42 "Leadership Lessons from Sports Struggles"

07:35 "Continual Learning for Lasting Success"

10:37 Preparing Teams for Success

14:26 Breaking Small Business Mindset Cycles

19:02 "Self-Branding for Leadership Success"

19:57 "Leaders: Connect as People"

25:04 Seek Clarity, Show Understanding

29:20 Bridging Generational Gaps at Work

31:17 Understanding Personal Perceptions

35:49 Navigating Difficult Conversations

39:51 "Accountability: Keys to Success"

43:08 AI Fashion Feedback for Gen X

44:06 "Rate and Explore More Episodes"

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Here are three key takeaways for anyone looking to elevate their leadership:

✅ Practice isn’t just for athletes or musicians—it’s critical for leaders, too. Ongoing self-development, whether through reading, feedback, or new challenges, is the key to sustainable success.

✅ Building strong teams starts with intentional onboarding and training. If your team isn’t performing, first look at the processes and preparation you’ve provided—not just the results.

✅ Your identity as a leader is your brand. You can (and should) evolve it! Consistency, vulnerability, and a growth mindset help you connect with your team and create a culture of accountability and continual improvement.

------

Want to learn more about McCoy Leadership? Check out our website, https://www.mccoyleadership.com/ and don't forget to subscribe to receive all the latest podcast episode.

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Links

John's website

LinkedIn

Leadership Confidence Assessment

Book Recommendations

1000+ Little Things Happy Successful People Do Differently

Emotional Intelligence