Hey, I’m Burke.
I run school operations for a living — buses, boilers, budgets, and everything in between.
Each week, I share the lessons nobody’s teaching in leadership books — just what works when you’re actually in the building.
Read all the way to the end, I have a special BONUS cheat sheet for you!
If you’re in the trenches too, this is for you.
Let’s jump in.
The 3 Questions You Should Ask Every New Custodian
Most custodians don’t get a real welcome.
They get a badge, a key ring, a quick tour of the building — and they’re on shift by the end of day one.
That’s not onboarding. That’s survival mode.
And it’s a big reason morale and retention stay low in facilities teams.
The Culture You Allow Starts on Day One
You don’t build team culture with a mission statement.
You build it in the first 10 minutes of the first conversation.
When new custodians feel seen, heard, and supported from the start — they’re more likely to stay, more likely to take pride in the work, and more likely to raise the bar.
It doesn’t take a retreat. It takes a few good questions.