Jan. 19, 2026

Joy Is a Discipline: How to Lead Schools with Trust, Clarity, and Collaboration with Dan Cox - Ep 62

Joy Is a Discipline: How to Lead Schools with Trust, Clarity, and Collaboration with Dan Cox - Ep 62

Access a workshop guide to ensure you are truly engaging as a team - https://bit.ly/JLgroupteam


In this episode of Building a Culture of Collaboration, Kurtis and Lorna are joined by Dan Cox — former superintendent, endurance athlete, speaker, and founder of Endurance Edge. 


Dan shares how his experience completing multiple ultramarathons, including a 100-mile race, shaped his leadership philosophy: Joy Is a Discipline.

Dan dives into the parallels between endurance athletics and school leadership, showing how resilience, trust, and clarity are essential to building collaborative cultures. School leaders will learn how to create conditions where staff feel safe, valued, and aligned toward a shared purpose — making collaboration the natural outcome.


We discuss:

  • How endurance sports teach lessons in trust, accountability, and teamwork
  • Strategies to create collaborative school environments that thrive under pressure
  • Practical leadership tips to sustain collaboration and build resilient teams

Whether you’re a principal, superintendent, or instructional leader, this episode provides actionable insights for strengthening collaboration, engagement, and collective efficacy in your schools.


Listen now to discover how to lead teams that can truly “go the distance.”


Learn more about Dan Cox at https://endurance-edge.com


#SchoolLeadership #CollaborativeCulture #TeacherCollaboration #EducationalLeadership #LeadershipResilience


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Connect with Dan Cox

Email: dancox@endurance-edge.com

X: @DanWCoxEdge

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/dan-w-cox-32266892

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577218716567

Substack: https://leadontheedge.substack.com/


Connect with Kurtis Hewson 

Email: kurtis.hewson@jigsawlearning.ca 

X: @hewsonk27

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hewsonk27 

LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/kurtishewson 


Connect with Lorna Hewson 

Email: lorna.hewson@jigsawlearning.ca 

X: @LornaHewson 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorna-hewson-713a59104


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Access a FREE webinar to transform how you plan and facilitate effective team meetings - https://bit.ly/transformteams


Learn more about Collaborative Response https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tbgetTdAiA&t=0s 


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Music: “Culture of Collaboration” has been composed, recorded, and produced by Trent Ferguson for Building a Culture of Collaboration.


Images: Visuals included in this video not generated under agreement with Jigsaw Learning Inc. have been carefully selected under Creative Commons for their permissions.