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Episode 270

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Published on:

13th Nov 2025

The 5 Leadership Skills Every Educator (and Leader) Needs with Dr. Don Parker

In this episode of Life Equals Choices, Choices Equal Life, host Kim Olver continues her inspiring conversation with Dr. Don Parker, nationally acclaimed educator, keynote speaker, and author of Building Bridges and Be the Driving Force. Together, they explore the heart of effective leadership—vision, trust, communication, and integrity—and how these qualities transform not only schools but every kind of organization.

Dr. Parker shares his top five leadership skills for building lasting trust, leading change without resistance, and inspiring teams even through funding challenges and uncertainty. Drawing from decades in education and leadership development, he offers practical strategies for handling turnover, strengthening relationships, and staying focused on purpose.

Kim and Don also discuss the importance of hope-driven leadership, how to become a “hope warrior,” and the power of GLOW—seeing the Gifts, Lessons, Opportunities, and Wisdom in life’s most difficult moments.

 Tune in to learn how to lead with empathy, integrity, and courage—whether you’re guiding a school, a team, or your own personal growth. 

Connect with Dr. Don Parker: drdonparker.com | LinkedIn

 Catch Part 1 of this conversation: life-choices.captivate.fm/episode/don-parker-leadership

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About the Podcast

Life = Choices; Choices = Life
Making better choices for a better life
Life = Choices; Choices = Life is about learning to replace external control psychology with radical responsibility and appreciation so you can make better choices to create the life you want to have. Kim Olver is a leading expert in Choice Theory™ psychology and will share what she has gleaned from the legendary work of Dr. William Glasser, as well as sharing her unique perspective based on over 30 years of study and research.

About your host

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Kim Olver

Kim Olver's mission is to help people make better choices for a better life. She is a licensed clinical professional counselor, a nationally certified counselor and a board certified coach. She is a world renowned expert in Choice Theory™ , a highly sought after international speaker and an award-winning author. Her books include: Leveraging Diversity at Work with Sylvester Baugh (2006), Secrets of Happy Couples (2010), Choosing Me Now (2019) and A Choice Theory Guide to Relationships (2019). Kim is currently working on the forthcoming books, The Definitive Guide to Coaching and Radical Responsibility and Appreciation. Kim is the author of The Relationship Center blog; creator of Empowerment Parenting, a 25-hour parenting curriculum for court-mandated parents; and owner of Academy of Choice, a BCC (Board Certified Coach) Coaching Program. Kim worked five years as a counselor for schizophrenics in a community-based residential program, 17 years holding various positions with a specialized foster care agency, was Executive Director of Glasser Institute for Choice Theory for nine years and the Executive Director for William Glasser International for eight; and began her own company, Coaching for Excellence, in 2005. She is a model of what she teaches about taking responsibility for the things she can influence and control and finding appreciation for those things she can't. Kim believes radical responsibility and appreciation are the keys to a happy, peaceful, satisfying life.