What to Say When the Conversation Gets Tough

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.

If you’re in the trenches too, this is for you.

Let’s jump in.

You’ve probably been here:

You see a staff member snap at a coworker.
You notice someone phoning it in.
You sense one of your best people just isn’t themselves.

And in your gut, you know, it’s time for a conversation.

But the words don’t come easy.
So you delay it. Or soften it. Or skip it.

And culture pays the price.

The best leaders don’t avoid tough talks.
They just get better at starting them.

You don’t need to be perfect.
You need to be clear, respectful, and real.

Let’s break down three moments that show up all the time in school ops — and what to say when they do.