What authorities are saying

in organizational development

“We fully endorse Rich as a specialist in building strong, values-driven culture, based on our 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, healthcare, 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.

and K-12 Education.

“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 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 build the future of educational leadership.

What clients and others 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.

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.

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

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, principles, and progress. As international education authority Michael Fullan affirms: “Culture is the hallmark of effective leadership.”

Rich Sinclair is a culture builder, leadership coach, and researcher who has supported elementary, middle, and high schools—as well as a medical center—in cultivating cohesive, high-performing communities. He has partnered with a large system to grow related leadership capacity, conducted Ph.D. research on organizational cohesion, and applied related strategies in classrooms to help students develop agency and improve performance. Previously, Rich led the turnaround of four K–12 schools, significantly improving behavior, achievement, enrollment, and overall operations. He also helped refine a top international college preparatory school. His path into education followed the transformative impact of an early teacher—an experience that continues to fuel his work with youth and communities committed to growth, equity, and possibility. Outside of work, Rich 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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Rich’s mentor Gayle Watson is a nationally respected culture strategist and co-founder of People Ink, 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 healthcare 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 across the country. 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.

🌟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 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 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 would you appreciate extra support through a significant transition?

Free initial consultation — a $75 value.

 

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

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