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?

Please leave this field empty

Smart strategies for school leaders – in under 5 minutes a week.

Get weekly leadership insights —designed for educators, school leaders, and aspiring leaders.
Each issue offers a single theme, practical strategies, real-world reflections, and tools to help you lead with confidence, purpose, and impact.

We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more info.

Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription.

Dr Jake Madden

I'm Jake Madden — educator, principal, and author with over 40 years in the field. My work centres on building teacher capacity, future-focused learning design, and global curriculum thinking. I'm especially passionate about the teacher-as-researcher and have explored these ideas through books and journal articles. I'm always learning from the field as much as contributing to it.

See Full Bio

Author: Dr Jake Madden

I'm Jake Madden — educator, principal, and author with over 40 years in the field. My work centres on building teacher capacity, future-focused learning design, and global curriculum thinking. I'm especially passionate about the teacher-as-researcher and have explored these ideas through books and journal articles. I'm always learning from the field as much as contributing to it. View all posts by Dr Jake Madden