#146: Stop Hoping, Start Coaching For It: Why Optimism Isn’t Optional Artwork

Coaching the Whole Educator

This podcast helps instructional coaches, teacher leaders, and school leaders improve their educators’ effectiveness and resilience, especially the ones who need it most by focusing on the mindsets and motivations that are at the source of unproductive behaviors. Each week, we’ll cover quick tips, strategies and coaching mindsets so that you can be on top of your coaching game.

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Coaching the Whole Educator

#146: Stop Hoping, Start Coaching For It: Why Optimism Isn’t Optional

July 20, 2025 • Becca Silver • Season 3 • Episode 143

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**Check out The Resistance Remedy HERE!**

Can you lead with optimism without slipping into toxic positivity? In this episode, Jason Adair from Southern Regional Education Board and I unpack what real optimism looks like in schools—and why it’s a critical ingredient in the Ownership Mindset.

We explore the difference between sugarcoated cheerleading and grounded, actionable hope. Drawing on the work of Simon Sinek and Martin Seligman, they highlight how coaches can model optimism, build agency, and support accountability—especially when the system feels heavy.

Because without optimism, coaching becomes blind compliance.

**Check out The Resistance Remedy HERE!**

To Learn more about Jason's organization, SREB (Southern Regional Education Board), check it out here: https://www.sreb.org/