Nov. 23, 2025
358. Building a Leadership Life That Lasts: Featuring Evan Robb
What if the real secret to long term leadership is not endurance at all, but learning how not to lose yourself along the way?
In this standout episode of Aspire to Lead, Principal Evan Robb returns with a candid and deeply human look at what it truly means to lead for the long game. From becoming a principal at thirty two and opening a school of more than one thousand three hundred students to spending over two decades in the role, Evan shares the honest lessons that titles never teach such as overconfidence, exhaustion, rediscovering balance, and the joy that only comes when you learn to lead yourself first.
Joshua and Evan explore what sustainable leadership requires in real, everyday practice. They discuss choosing presence over busyness, building a school where leadership is shared rather than stacked on a single person, and protecting your life outside the building so you can show up grounded and focused inside it. Evan speaks openly about the boundaries that preserved his wellness, the relationships that restored his joy, and the personal belief system that guides every decision he makes.
The conversation also highlights how passion projects including writing, speaking, and podcasting can strengthen a leader’s growth when they are rooted in service and designed to create real Monday morning impact. Whether you are stepping into leadership for the first time or seeking renewed purpose after many years in the seat, this episode offers clarity, encouragement, and actionable guidance to help you build a leadership life that lasts.
About Evan Robb:
Evan Robb is presently Principal of Johnson-Williams Middle School in Berryville, Virginia. He has over twenty years of experience serving as a building level principal. Prior to being a school principal, he was an English teacher, department chair, and Assistant Principal. Evan is a recipient of the Horace Mann Educator of the Year Award. In addition, the NCTE Commission on Reading selected him to serve on its national board.
A TEDx Speaker, Evan offers inspirational keynotes, workshops, and on-going professional learning opportunities across the country on leadership, mindset, culture, impactful change and how to improve literacy in schools. Evan has shared his ideas with thousands of educators at dozens of workshops across the country.
His first book titled, The Principal’s Leadership Sourcebook: Practices, Tools, and Strategies for Building a Thriving School Community was published by Scholastic in the fall of 2007. His next book, The Ten- Minute Principal was published by Corwin in May 2019. Evan and Laura Robb collaborated with Dave Burgess Publishing to write Team Makers, which was published in August of 2019. In addition, Evan is partnering with Laura Robb to write, A School Full of Readers, with Benchmark Education, Fall 2019.
https://www.amazon.com/Ten-Minute-Principal-Free-Focus-Leadership/dp/1544345577?crid=3VFYN4P3ITQA2&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.7SGVWuIBg2KQBC7U81NnRYbyYsKfGb40C7KLRfymPV0gwQTWz4i-P-9uCv1g1Z08U0_nvi4jppTBE-xPL2ymve_av4UYki661aJOypI5Po01vCFjbH-RDo7xgoAny10fYDTeCPFv98FfWmgsSn1SFzOSnIjVaemSOw2sHQYKrld_S8uK2mUt7q86Q8eveiKPgOn_Q_Ukk2lPbE1_6v6p_XxMy1euq0k2Dh3Mf4nZAxg.bJFBEIiV7129T8LK6OOPGy1lN3rxPSqQadpJdxP5X-8&dib_tag=se&keywords=10+minute+principal&qid=1763952843&sprefix=10+minute+principal%2Caps%2C178&sr=8-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=aspirewebsite-20&linkId=7d8ef2d622da1865ed003cf747c26762&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl -- NEW Aspire to Lead Cohort: Join the December 1st Launch Ready to move from teacher to administrator? The Aspire to Lead Cohort is a monthly leadership program designed for educators pursuing administrative roles. Get expert training, peer accountability, interview prep, and a clear roadmap to advance your career. December 1st cohort launching soon. Limited spots available. READY TO JOIN? Apply for the Aspire to Lead Cohort: https://bit.ly/47xWzIu Limited spots available. Next cohort starts 12/1/25 📧 QUESTIONS? Email me: Joshua@joshstamper.com — #1 New Release, "The Language of Behavior" is NOW Available! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DVT32KQ1?&linkCode=ll1&tag=aspirewebsite-20&linkId=d18e5a44a6582a22d15ee23193af7bb8&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl The Language of Behavior is an essential guide for school leaders committed to transforming their school culture and addressing student behavior through a more compassionate, effective approach. Drawing on their extensive experience in education, Charle Peck and Joshua Stamper challenge outdated disciplinary practices and offer a clear, trauma-informed framework that empowers educators to interpret student behavior as a form of communication. Through three core tenets—Consider the Environment, Explore the Root Causes of Behavior, and Respond with Intentionality—this book equips leaders with actionable strategies to foster positive behavior, build stronger relationships, and cultivate a more supportive school climate. Packed with real-world case studies, evidence-based practices, and insights into the lasting effects of childhood trauma, The Language of Behavior provides school leaders with the tools to create lasting, meaningful change. It offers a roadmap to reduce behavior issues, re-engage students and staff, and establish a culture of accountability and empathy. This book is not just a reference—it's a call to lead with vision and transform how we approach discipline, ensuring every student has the opportunity to thrive. Bulk Orders: https://www.connectedd.org/bulk-orders —
Follow Evan Robb:
- Twitter:https://twitter.com/ERobbPrincipal
- Website:https://evan-robb.com/
- TEDX:https://youtu.be/oS4WMsdLIM4
- Blog:https://therobbreviewblog.com/
- The Robb Review Podcast:https://therobbreviewpodcast.podbean.com/
https://www.amazon.com/Ten-Minute-Principal-Free-Focus-Leadership/dp/1544345577?crid=3VFYN4P3ITQA2&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.7SGVWuIBg2KQBC7U81NnRYbyYsKfGb40C7KLRfymPV0gwQTWz4i-P-9uCv1g1Z08U0_nvi4jppTBE-xPL2ymve_av4UYki661aJOypI5Po01vCFjbH-RDo7xgoAny10fYDTeCPFv98FfWmgsSn1SFzOSnIjVaemSOw2sHQYKrld_S8uK2mUt7q86Q8eveiKPgOn_Q_Ukk2lPbE1_6v6p_XxMy1euq0k2Dh3Mf4nZAxg.bJFBEIiV7129T8LK6OOPGy1lN3rxPSqQadpJdxP5X-8&dib_tag=se&keywords=10+minute+principal&qid=1763952843&sprefix=10+minute+principal%2Caps%2C178&sr=8-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=aspirewebsite-20&linkId=7d8ef2d622da1865ed003cf747c26762&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl -- NEW Aspire to Lead Cohort: Join the December 1st Launch Ready to move from teacher to administrator? The Aspire to Lead Cohort is a monthly leadership program designed for educators pursuing administrative roles. Get expert training, peer accountability, interview prep, and a clear roadmap to advance your career. December 1st cohort launching soon. Limited spots available. READY TO JOIN? Apply for the Aspire to Lead Cohort: https://bit.ly/47xWzIu Limited spots available. Next cohort starts 12/1/25 📧 QUESTIONS? Email me: Joshua@joshstamper.com — #1 New Release, "The Language of Behavior" is NOW Available! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DVT32KQ1?&linkCode=ll1&tag=aspirewebsite-20&linkId=d18e5a44a6582a22d15ee23193af7bb8&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl The Language of Behavior is an essential guide for school leaders committed to transforming their school culture and addressing student behavior through a more compassionate, effective approach. Drawing on their extensive experience in education, Charle Peck and Joshua Stamper challenge outdated disciplinary practices and offer a clear, trauma-informed framework that empowers educators to interpret student behavior as a form of communication. Through three core tenets—Consider the Environment, Explore the Root Causes of Behavior, and Respond with Intentionality—this book equips leaders with actionable strategies to foster positive behavior, build stronger relationships, and cultivate a more supportive school climate. Packed with real-world case studies, evidence-based practices, and insights into the lasting effects of childhood trauma, The Language of Behavior provides school leaders with the tools to create lasting, meaningful change. It offers a roadmap to reduce behavior issues, re-engage students and staff, and establish a culture of accountability and empathy. This book is not just a reference—it's a call to lead with vision and transform how we approach discipline, ensuring every student has the opportunity to thrive. Bulk Orders: https://www.connectedd.org/bulk-orders —
