Cohesion is the degree to which a group or community works effectively together to achieve a common goal.
To distribute cohesion is to teach and model how to collectively and sustainably align around shared purpose, principles, trust, and related performance.

 

Do you have a humble and ambitious mindset?

 

What authorities are saying

“We fully endorse Rich as a specialist in building strong, values-driven culture, based on our collaboration across multiple projects.”
— Ann Rhoades, a nationally recognized authority in organizational development, is the author of the best-selling leadership book Built on Values (with a foreword by Stephen Covey) and the founder of the consulting firm People Ink. For over 25 years, our team has helped like-minded leaders build sustainable, high-trust environments grounded in shared purpose and behavior-based values. Our clients span a wide range of service-oriented sectors, all committed to cultivating exceptional workplace cultures. In addition to her consulting work, Ann has served as a pioneering Chief People Officer in multiple organizations, held numerous board positions, been featured in major publications, and is a long-standing member of the Washington Speakers Bureau.
“After your next strategic planning process, take the critical step of aligning your community around it. Talk to Rich—he can help make it happen.”
— Christopher T. Cross, a respected authority in education, has been a trusted advisor to local, state, and federal leaders for decades. His extensive experience includes serving as: Assistant U.S. Secretary of Education, President of the Maryland State Board of Education, President of the Council for Basic Education, Director of Education at the Business Roundtable, Co-founder of FourPoint Education Partners (formerly Cross & Joftus), Senior Fellow with the Education Commission of the States, and the Center for Education Policy. Chris’s long-standing leadership has helped shape sound policy and build strong systems across the country—and he’s one of many who recognize the value of Rich’s work.
 

Measuring educator enthusiasm

“Based on your experience working at this school, how strongly would you recommend a career in K–12 education to your own children or others?”
— Educator enthusiasm—alongside family involvement and transformational leadership—is one of the most powerful drivers of student academic growth, hope, and well-being. This question isn't just personal—it's a reflection of school culture. Is your school or system truly built to serve its people, or is it primarily designed for top-down compliance?
 

About Us

LeadingSchools Forward was founded by Rich with the support of UNC–Chapel Hill, Duke University, K–12 education leaders, and the organizational culture firm People Ink. Our mission is to ensure that access to great, enduring education cultures depends solely on the commitment of each community—not on privilege, policy, or proximity. Rooted in the belief that culture is central to sustainable improvement, we partner with schools and systems to build environments grounded in shared purpose, behavioral-based values, and high trust. As international education authority Michael Fullan affirms: “Culture is the hallmark of effective leadership.”

As a leader and resource to others, Rich has supported elementary, middle, and high school communities—as well as a medical center—in building culture. He has also worked alongside large system leaders to increase their related capacity, conducted Ph.D. research on cohesion, and applied similar approaches in classrooms to help students develop a sense of agency and improve performance. Previously, Rich led the turnaround of four schools, P-12, specific to student behavior, achievement, enrollment, and overall operations, and the refinement of a top international college preparatory school. Rich was drawn to education, in particular, due to the transformative influence of an early teacher. That experience continues to fuel his passion for working with similar youth, and communities that share a deep commitment to growth, equity, and possibility. Outside of work, he enjoys exploring with his wife, Amy—who works in rural philanthropy—and their son, Cole, a student at the University of Colorado Boulder.

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As co-founder of People Ink, Rich’s mentor Gayle has helped shape organizational culture across a wide range of sectors, including patient-centered healthcare and higher education. With over 30 years of experience, she has worked with numerous U.S. and global organizations to strengthen leadership, culture, and talent systems. Prior to her consulting work, Gayle served as Chief Learning Officer for a large organization, where she led culture transformation, leadership development, and talent management initiatives. A national advocate for women entrepreneurs, she has served as Board Chair of the National Association of Women Business Owners and as a board member for the Center for Women’s Business Research. Gayle lives in Bella Vista, Arkansas, where she and her husband Grant enjoy golfing together. To learn more about Gayle, Ann, and the People Ink team, visit www.peopleink.com.

What clients and supporters are saying

testimonials

Faculty and Staff

“How much everyone wanted not only to create a great environment for the kids but a great environment for the adults as well. | The opportunity to be involved in a wonderful school environment. | I appreciated the philosophy and values of the school and the PBL focus. | The school’s values.”

WHAT IS IT ABOUT THE SCHOOL THAT ATTRACTED YOU? - Survey responses from staff members who were brought on together following the Built on Values process.

Principal

“Rich helped us dig deep as a new school to understand and fully flesh out our shared values and then to integrate and live those values throughout the school. The shift takes time, but for us, it has paid dividends over the years in creating a cohesive group of adults who are moving forward toward a common educational vision.”

- Tammy Finch, K-8 Director of The Expedition School, one of the highest-rated in North Carolina.

Teacher Preparation Authority

“Teacher turnover is much more than a pipeline, preparation, and pay issue. It is an organizational alignment problem. Great schools reflect their community or their culture. Principals, including great ones, come and go. I know this, having spent my life in education. Rich knows this too, and he is not just talking about it.”

Dr. Charles Coble, a long-time authority on teacher preparation and development and past Vice President of the Education Commission of the States

Principal

“I put my heart and soul into the school, and I was concerned that, like so many other schools that lose a long-term leader, the turnover rate would soar and damage the program we had built together over so many years. … Rich’s guidance was completely successful. After I left, the turnover rate did not spike, and the framework continues to be in place years later.”

- Mitch Stensland, retired principal of Chatham Central High School (NC)

Superintendent

“Having a people-centric culture, that is, one that nurtures your employees, students, and families, can help your school system stand out from the competition. If you are new to the superintendency or your board and team are ready to go to the next level, consider speaking with Rich. Our experience impressed us, and we hope to work with him and Gayle again.”

- Dr. Markley, former superintendent of New Hanover County Schools (NC)

Practician

“For years, I, like Rich, have been partnering with Ann Rhoades and People Ink. Today, the framework is reflected in the cultures of the five universities that make up the Texas Tech system. The shift has allowed students, faculty, staff, future health practitioners, and other graduates to thrive and grow in ways not previously realized.”

- Steve Sosland, Leader and Culture Development Vice Chancellor of the Texas Tech University System

P-12 Education Authority

“Too many times we have gone into a school, and the work failed to take root as a result of the culture not being ready from the start or the conditions changing when the principal left. Rich’s initiative can help change this common paradigm and the related long-term growth of our kids.”

- Dr. Terry Roberts, long-time director of the National Paideia Center, one of the oldest school reform models in the United States

Compassion Health Care

(The partnership followed a referral from a pilot school.)

“We incorporate our values into everything we do, starting with hiring & onboarding. Our staff embodies our core values because these principles are not just words on paper—they guide every aspect of how we care for our patients and interact with our community. Through quarterly staff meetings focused on our built-on-values model, regular recognition of value-based behavior, and open discussions about the importance of these values, our team is deeply committed to living them out daily. From leadership setting the example to ongoing training and support, we ensure that every staff member understands and incorporates our core values into their work, creating a culture of compassionate, patient-centered care.”

CHC, including The Caswell County Family Medical Center, serves multiple rural communities on or near the Virginia-North Carolina border.

🌟 BEHAVIOR-BASED VALUES BLUEPRINT

How We Make Access to Great, Enduring Education Cultures Contingent Only on the Commitment of Each Community

These values define how we show up, how we lead, and how we build together. They are not just beliefs—they are behaviors. Through these shared commitments, we help communities create the conditions for thriving school cultures that endure, regardless of background or circumstance.

🔗 INTERDEPENDENCE

We succeed through transparency, trust, and mutual responsibility.

  • Focuses relentlessly on progress that benefits students, families, communities, and colleagues.

  • Actively seeks out the strengths, insights, and assets of others—especially those closest to the work.

  • Steps up to help wherever needed—closing gaps, extending support, and ensuring no one is left behind.

  • Recognizes, affirms, and celebrates the contributions of others in ways that build momentum and belonging.

Reflection prompt:
How have I supported a teammate or community partner in a way that moved us all forward?

🎯 PURPOSE

We always do what is right—for the long-term health of our communities.

  • Creates inclusive, welcoming spaces with eye contact, warmth, and a sense of belonging.

  • Builds and protects strong, trusting relationships through consistent words and actions.

  • Contributes fully to shared goals—never opting out of the work or the responsibility.

  • Stands by the values even when it’s hard—especially when communities rely on our integrity most.

Reflection prompt:
What difficult choice did I make this week to uphold what’s right, not just what’s easy?

🌱 GROWTH

We develop ourselves and others so that every community can thrive on its own terms.

  • Asks bold, curious questions—“why,” “why not,” and “what if”—to challenge the status quo.

  • Welcomes diverse voices and ways of thinking as necessary fuel for lasting improvement.

  • Grows through honest reflection, feedback, and a willingness to try again.

  • Builds collective capacity—helping others lead, learn, and grow alongside us.

Reflection prompt:
How have I contributed to the growth of our shared capacity this month?

📈 KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS (KPIs)

We measure success through the lived experiences of our communities, both now and over time.

Short-Term Indicators:

  • Student academic resilience

  • Family involvement

  • Faculty and staff enthusiasm

  • Evidence of transformational leadership

  • Strength of community support

Long-Term Indicators:

  • Sustained student academic growth

  • Family enrollment and retention

  • Employee cohesion and collaboration

  • Shared leadership across roles and levels

  • Long-term community investment

📝 NOTES

  • Schools and systems can gauge internal cohesion using questions related to inclusivity, trust, pride, and camaraderie, in addition to the KPIs listed above.

  • Student academic resilience refers to the ability of students to maintain or achieve academic success despite significant challenges or setbacks. This resilience is often shaped by levels of family involvement, educator enthusiasm, transformational leadership, and community support.

  • Transformational leadership describes the extent to which individuals motivate and inspire others to pursue a vision or goal of shared significance—fostering commitment, collaboration, and sustained improvement.

Connect with Us

 

Complementary Services

Baseline Facilitation & Assessment:
What is your community’s ideal future, and how closely are you aligned with that vision, currently?

Follow-Up Support:
Have you fallen out of alignment over time, or do you need guidance through a significant transition?

Free initial consultation — a $75 value.

 

Is Your School or System Built to Comply—or to Serve?

To learn more, explore either of Rich’s recent journal articles below. The latter approach focuses on the conditions for long-term, continuous improvement.