Inclusivity, trust, pride, and camraderie

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What clients and others are saying

testimonials

Teacher Preparation Authority

Teacher shortages and turnover aren’t just about pay, preparation, or pipelines—they reflect the culture. Schools thrive when communities unite around shared values, and leaders build environments where expectations come alive. I’ve seen this my whole career, and so has Rich—and he’s not just talking about it.

Dr. Charles Coble, an international authority on teacher preparation and development, and past Vice President of the Education Commission of the States

Principal-Director

Rich helped us, as a new school, dig deep 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 by creating a cohesive group of adults moving forward toward a shared educational vision.

- Tammy Finch, K-8 Director of The Expedition School - one of North Carolina’s highest-rated public schools.

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 remains in place years later.

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

Superintendent

A people-centric culture — one that truly nurtures students, families, and employees — is what sets a school system apart. Whether you are new to the superintendency or your board and team are ready to elevate your work, I encourage you to speak with Rich. Our experience with him was very positive, and we look forward to partnering with him and Gayle again.

- Dr. Markley, former superintendent of New Hanover County Schools and chair of North Carolina’s large school district leadership group

Practician

For years, I, like Rich, have partnered with People Ink. Today, that framework is woven into the cultures of all five universities in the Texas Tech system. As a result, students, faculty, staff, future health practitioners, and graduates are thriving and growing in ways that were not possible before.

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

Compassion Health Care

(The project followed a referral from an initial partner 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.

P-12 Education Authority

Many programs, like ours, struggle to take root because schools aren’t ready for change, or conditions shift when leadership turns over. Rich’s approach can equip schools to build the structures, habits, and culture needed for lasting growth—so teachers can succeed, leaders can stay, and students can thrive year after year.

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

What is it about the school that attracted you?

How everyone wanted not only to create an excellent environment for the kids, but also a great one for the adults. | The opportunity to be involved in a wonderful school environment. | I appreciated the school’s philosophy and values, as well as its focus on project-based learning. | The school’s values.

Survey responses from staff members who were brought on together following the Built on Values process.

Building Culture, Growing Success

“We fully endorse Rich as a specialist in our process, based on collaboration across multiple projects.”
— Ann Rhoades is a nationally respected culture pioneer and the best-selling author of Built on Values (with a foreword by Stephen Covey). As the founder of People Ink, she has spent more than 25 years helping purpose-driven leaders design values-based cultures where people feel trusted, empowered, and inspired to do their best work. Ann served as Chief People Officer for legendary organizations like Southwest Airlines and JetBlue, helping build workplaces defined by humanity, high performance, and enduring trust. Her influence spans higher-education, patient-centered medicine, hospitality, nonprofits, and beyond—anywhere leaders want to turn strong values into lasting results. A sought-after speaker and advisor, Ann has served on numerous boards, been featured in major publications, and is a long-time member of the Washington Speakers Bureau. She remains a powerful advocate for building organizations where people come first—and culture follows.
“Follow your next strategic planning process by aligning your community accordingly. Talk to Rich—he can explain the process specific to education.”
— Christopher T. Cross has been a driving force in American education policy for over five decades—shaping systems, informing leadership, and advancing equity from the White House to the classroom. A trusted advisor to local, state, and national leaders, Chris has served in some of the most influential roles in the field: 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, and Co-founder of FourPoint Education Partners (formerly Cross & Joftus). He has also lent his expertise as a Senior Fellow with both the Education Commission of the States and the Center for Education Policy. Few have done more to translate bold ideas into real-world policy. Chris’s enduring commitment to thoughtful, evidence-based reform continues to strengthen the nation’s schools—and he is one of many national leaders who recognize and stand behind the work Rich is doing to influence the future of educational leadership.

Question

As a leader, are you more of a battlefield commander or an architect of possibility?

Consider this measure of educator enthusiasm:

“Based on your experience as a teacher at this school, how likely would you recommend a career in K–12 education to your own children or others?”
— This question isn’t just personal—it reveals the school’s culture. Reflect on where your leadership tends to fall on the spectrum between serving and inspiring commitment versus enforcing compliance. Educator enthusiasm, together with family involvement and transformational leadership, is one of the most powerful drivers of student hope, well-being, and resilience—and ultimately, student academic growth.

About Us

LeadingSchools Forward was founded by Rich Sinclair with the support of UNC–Chapel Hill, Duke University, K–12 education leaders, and in partnership with the organizational culture pioneer 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, principles, and progress. As international education authority Michael Fullan affirms: “Culture is the hallmark of effective leadership.”

Rich is a teacher, leader, and education culture specialist who helps schools and systems build coherent, purpose-driven communities where adults and students can thrive. His work spans elementary, middle, and high schools—and even a medical center—supporting teams as they clarify their shared values, strengthen relationships, and create the conditions for sustained growth. Rich has partnered with a large system to deepen leadership capacity, conducted Ph.D. educational leadership research on organizational coherence, and applied these strategies directly in classrooms to help students develop agency and collective efficacy. Earlier in his career, he led the collaborative turnaround of four K–12 schools - improving student behavior, achievement, enrollment, and overall alignment - and the refinement of a top international college preparatory school. His path into education began with the transformative influence of a single teacher. This early experience continues to shape his belief in what people and communities can become when culture is intentional. Outside of work, Rich enjoys exploring with his wife, Amy—who works in rural philanthropy—and spending time with their son, Cole, a student at the University of Colorado Boulder.

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Rich’s mentor, Gayle Watson, is a nationally respected culture strategist and co-founder of People Ink (1999), where she has spent over 30 years helping organizations build values-driven cultures that elevate both people and performance. A trusted advisor across industries—from patient-centered medicine and higher education to global enterprise—Gayle is known for translating vision into strategy and culture into results. As a former Chief Learning Officer, she led transformational work in leadership development, culture alignment, and talent systems for one state’s organization. Today, her consulting and executive coaching shape the leadership pipelines and cultural frameworks of mission-driven institutions nationwide. A passionate advocate for women in business, Gayle 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. She brings not just insight but impact—fueling organizational growth through trust, clarity, and people-first leadership. Gayle lives in Bella Vista, Arkansas, where she and her husband Grant enjoy time on the golf course and in their community. To learn more about Gayle, Ann Rhoades, and the Built on Values® team, visit www.peopleink.com.

One-page introduction & Readiness Assessment

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

Our organizational blueprint below outlines how we show up, how we lead, and how we work together. The values are not just beliefs—they are behaviors. Through these shared commitments, we help communities create the conditions for intentional 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 coworkers.

  • 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

  • Employee enthusiasm

  • Transformational leadership

  • Community support

Long-Term Indicators:

  • Student academic growth

  • Enrollment

  • Employee cohesion

  • Shared leadership (across roles & levels)

  • Community investment

📝 NOTES

Schools and systems can assess internal cohesion by asking survey 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 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 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 would you appreciate extra support through a significant transition?

*Free initial consultation.

 

Is your school or system built to comply—or serve?

The former is dependent on the charismatic leader. The latter focuses on the conditions necessary for long-term, continuous student improvement. To learn more, explore either of Rich’s recent journal articles below.

“Built for Continuous Improvement: Professional Accountability in the Academic Setting”