Daniel Bauer Discusses Alexa And Blog Growth

In 2010, I moved away from a home and school I had known for years in Champaign, IL.It was time to leap into the scary unknown … and leap I did!

It took months to find a job, but when I did, I landed on my feet and experienced my first “Ah-Ha” Moment.

In Chicago Public Schools I helped 18 schools implement AVID methodologies (144 teachers and administrators in total). This experience gave me a unique perspective to the differing level of leadership quality found across the district.

I’ve read that the #1 most important factor to student success is the classroom teacher. The #2 factor is the building principal.

Leadership matters.

And this experience taught me not only did I have what it takes to lead a great school, but to me … nothing is more energizing than helping school leaders develop.

In Chicago, I set a goal to host regular dinner parties with local school leaders. My dream was to consistently break bread and discuss school leadership in an authentic way.

I was able to host two dinners over a year and I found myself still hungry …

I was hungry for more depth, authenticity, and consistency.

Recognizing that I needed to connect more often, I searched for a different path. Enter the year 2015, when I was listening to as many podcasts on leadership and entrepreneurship that I could find.

I came across one podcast that interviewed entrepreneurs daily. I learned so much in such a short amount of time, I had my second “Ah-Ha” Moment. I thought to myself …

Why can’t I do this?

And the podcast was born. My goal was to connect with as many expert leaders as I could. Even if no one listened at least I would become a better leader.

(Side note … “Why can’t I …” or “Why can’t we …” are two of the most powerful questions a leader can ask).

Half a million downloads later, I think people are resonating with the message.

Running masterminds has taken over my life. Nothing is more satisfying. I started in the Spring of 2016 with just 7 principals and grew to 26 clients in the Spring of 2017.Fun fact … 3 of those 7 founding members became Principals of the Year in their respective district and/or state in 2017.

My third “Ah-Ha” Moment is that many leaders are like me. They are experiencing the WHAT-HOW gap.

The what … they want to get better.

The how … where does one even start?

I fill that gap with the blog, podcast, masterminds, and other development resources.

Leadership can be extremely lonely, but it doesn’t have to be.

This final “Ah-Ha” was so powerful that it has become my life’s mission. I want to connect as many great leaders as possible to exponentially expand their impact and influence while dramatically changing the face of education across the world.

And I want to work with you!