Eat the Frog: Tackle School Leadership Challenges Head On

Every school day begins with possibilities and pressures.

Whether it’s a difficult conversation with a staff member, a complex timetable to revise, or a resource shortfall demanding swift decisions, school leadership often means starting the day with something unpalatable. But as Mark Twain’s famous quote reminds us:

“If it’s your job to eat a frog, it’s best to do it first thing in the morning. And if it’s your job to eat two frogs, it’s best to eat the biggest one first.” Mark Twain

In school leadership, the “frog” represents the task we least want to face but most need to.

Why It Matters

When leading a school, procrastinating on hard tasks doesn’t just delay decisions, it compounds stress and slows momentum. Leaders who tackle their most significant challenges early set a tone of decisiveness for the day and model courage for their teams.

Choosing to “eat the biggest frog first” is about:

• Facing uncomfortable truths early before they grow bigger.
• Making high-impact decisions rather than being distracted by the noise of low-value activity.
• Leading with focus rather than being led by reaction.

How to Apply the ‘Frog First’ Principle

1. Identify your frogs the night before.
   Ask: What am I avoiding? What matters most?
2. Rank them by impact and complexity.
   The biggest frog isn’t always the most urgent but it is the most important.
3. Protect your morning energy.
   Schedule your hardest task first, before the demands of the day take over.
4. Act decisively, then move forward.
   Avoid perfection paralysis. Progress is better than polish.

A Culture of Courage Starts at the Top

When leaders consistently face their toughest tasks with clarity and composure, they send a powerful message: We do hard things here, and we do them with purpose. This mindset ripples across staff rooms, student interactions, and the very fabric of a school’s culture.

Leadership isn’t about having easy days, it’s about doing the hard things that matter, even when no one is watching.

So tomorrow morning, when the frogs are waiting, start with the biggest one.

Closing Reflection:
What’s your “frog” today and what would change if you faced it head-on before 9am?

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Dr Jake Madden

I’m Jake Madden (Dip Teach; B.Ed; Grad Dip: Leadership; M. Ed: Leadership; EdD; FACEL; MACE), and I’ve had the privilege of working in education for over thirty years as a teacher and principal. Throughout my career, I’ve focused on supporting teachers to build their capacity, developing learning approaches that respond to the needs of today’s world, creating flexible learning spaces for 21st-century learners, and designing curriculum that encourages global mindedness. I’m particularly passionate about the concept of teacher-as-researcher, and I’ve been fortunate to contribute to this area by sharing my experiences through books and journal articles. My work reflects what I’ve learned from leading and navigating educational change, and I’m always eager to continue learning from others in the field.

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Author: Dr Jake Madden

I’m Jake Madden (Dip Teach; B.Ed; Grad Dip: Leadership; M. Ed: Leadership; EdD; FACEL; MACE), and I’ve had the privilege of working in education for over thirty years as a teacher and principal. Throughout my career, I’ve focused on supporting teachers to build their capacity, developing learning approaches that respond to the needs of today’s world, creating flexible learning spaces for 21st-century learners, and designing curriculum that encourages global mindedness. I’m particularly passionate about the concept of teacher-as-researcher, and I’ve been fortunate to contribute to this area by sharing my experiences through books and journal articles. My work reflects what I’ve learned from leading and navigating educational change, and I’m always eager to continue learning from others in the field. View all posts by Dr Jake Madden