Finishing Strong

“Start strong, stay strong, and finish strong by remembering why you’re doing it in the first place.” ~ Ralph Marston

Finish Strong: Why the End of the Year Matters More Than Ever

As the school year draws to a close, it’s easy to feel like we’re all just limping toward the finish line: Classrooms are winding down, the calendar is packed with end-of-year events, and everyone—from students to staff to administrators—is running on fumes.

But here’s the thing: this final stretch isn’t just about wrapping things up. It’s about how we show up as leaders when it counts the most.

The Finish Line Isn’t the End—It’s a Defining Moment

There’s a quote from Shakespeare that says, “The end crowns all.” In schools, that couldn’t be more true. People often remember how a year ends more than how it began. The energy, the tone, and the leadership we bring in these final weeks will leave a lasting impression—and often set the tone for what comes next.

Leadership expert John Maxwell puts it this way: “People remember the end. They evaluate the leader not by how you start, but by how you finish.” And it’s worth reflecting on: What story are we telling with the way we close out the year?

What Finishing Strong Actually Looks Like

Finishing strong doesn’t mean pushing harder or piling on more. It means focusing on what matters most: people.

It’s the perfect time to:

• Celebrate wins—big or small. Recognize growth, resilience, creativity.

  
  

• Be present and visible. Take a few extra laps around the building, visit classrooms, stop by the cafeteria. Your presence says, “I see you. I’m with you.”

  
  

• Say thank you. A handwritten note, a hallway conversation, a simple “I appreciate you”—those small moments can carry a lot of weight.

Educator and researcher Brené Brown talks about how “clear is kind.” As we lead through these last weeks, clarity—about what’s coming, what we’ve achieved, and what we value—is one of the kindest things we can offer.

Don’t Just Close the Year—Launch the Next One

These final weeks are also the tilling of the rich ground for what comes next. Think of it like planting seeds. The way we end this year creates the soil for next year to grow in.

In The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Stephen Covey tells us to “begin with the end in mind.” But we’re going to flip that a bit here: end with the beginning in mind. What are we doing now that will help our teams and schools come back stronger?

Start planting those ideas. Share your vision. Invite reflection and feedback. Not as a checklist, but as a conversation. People are more likely to lean into next year when they feel seen and valued as this one wraps up.

A Moment to Lead with Heart

Finally, let’s be honest—everyone’s tired. That includes you. But this is also a chance to lead with empathy, grace, and purpose. Daniel Pink, in his book Drive, reminds us that people are motivated by purpose, mastery, and autonomy. What if we closed the year by offering a little more of that?

More trust. More meaningful recognition. More encouragement to rest, reflect, and recharge.

You’ve led through a year of challenges, change, and growth. Now is the time to finish with the same care and conviction that carried you through the hardest days.

Because in the end, how we finish doesn’t just close a chapter—it opens the next one.