Cold Brew Confidence: How to Lead Through Summer Challenges

There’s something undeniably powerful about that first sip of cold brew on a hot summer morning—it’s bold, smooth, and energizing. And as a school administrator in the thick of “off-season” leadership, I’ve realized we need to bring that same boldness and clarity to how we lead through the summer.

Welcome to Cold Brew Confidence, my iced-coffee-infused metaphor for handling summer setbacks with strategy, calm, and caffeinated courage.

Because let’s be honest… the summer slump is real. You’re still running a school, staffing holes seem to appear like heat waves, the master schedule won’t stop morphing, and that “quiet office time” you imagined back in April? It’s now a revolving door of construction updates, last-minute resignations, and emails with subject lines that begin with “Urgent.”

But fear not—your cold brew confidence is here. Let’s stir it up.

The Myth of the “Summer Off” for School Leaders

Every time someone outside of education says, “Must be nice to have summers off,” a school leader somewhere starts twitching. While some of the hustle may slow, the summer season brings its own set of high-stakes challenges:

• Hiring highly qualified staff on a tight timeline

• Resetting campus culture with new expectations

• Managing summer school logistics and transportation snafus

• Navigating facilities upgrades, pest control (hello, summer ants), and HVAC breakdowns

• Reworking schedules, IEPs, and professional development

If we aren’t careful, we let the summer slip by reacting instead of strategically leading. That’s where Cold Brew Confidence kicks in.

Cold Brew Confidence: Brew It, Don’t Boil It

True confidence isn’t loud, rushed, or chaotic. It’s brewed with calm intention—steeped in clarity, planning, and emotional steadiness. Think cold brew, not espresso shots.

So how do you brew that confidence during the summer season? Start with these three ingredients:

1. Steep in Vision

Summer is the best time to zoom out. What are your school’s big rocks this year? What will your staff say they felt under your leadership? What do your students need most in the first 30 days back?

📝 Try this: Dedicate one day each week to “vision planning.” No emails, no HR paperwork—just focus on aligning your calendar, your culture strategy, and your compass.

Use sticky notes, whiteboards, or Canva if you’re a digital dreamer. Let your why rise to the top again.

2. Cool Down Setbacks

Unexpected summer issues? They’re inevitable. Someone doesn’t show up for PD. Your new hire declines last-minute. Your AC? Fried. These things will happen.

Instead of spiraling or scrambling, bring in your Quick Iced Latte mindset—small, fast, refreshing wins.

☕️ Quick Iced Latte Fixes for Summer Setbacks:

• Staffing Shortage? Create a shared Google Sheet of flexible sub plans aligned to your instructional model. Ask your lead teachers to each contribute one.

• Missing Maintenance? Keep a “Facilities Friday” log to track requests, and bring Popsicles to the crew or take them out for lunch. Appreciation goes a long way in speed. Better yet, one day a week throw on some work clothes and get your hands dirty. It's good for your mental and physical too.

• PD Plan Gone Awry? Convert in-person to virtual using Loom or get those remote trainings out in advance, and reward staff with “anytime” hours they can cash in later.

Let quick, proactive solutions steep in your leadership style this summer. Your people will remember how you handled the heat, not just what caused it.

3. Serve it With a Strong Finish

When August hits, your team needs to feel like you’re ready to lead them with poise, clarity, and a caffeine-level commitment to excellence.

You don’t need to have all the answers, but you do need to show up prepared, professional, and present. Confidence builds trust, and trust builds momentum. Your Cold Brew Confidence is your secret weapon for the Back-to-School Launch.

Pro Tip: Host a “Summer Recap Sips” with your leadership team in a session in pre-service week. Use cold brew or iced tea and walk through how the summer built your school’s momentum. This isn’t fluff—it’s anchoring your team in the mission you worked all summer to prepare for.

Viral Leadership Moment: #ColdBrewConfidence Challenge

Want to engage your staff or PLN on social media? Launch a #ColdBrewConfidence Challenge on your school’s or personal leadership page.

Challenge: Post a picture of your iced coffee + your biggest summer win or quick iced latte solution. Tag 3 other school leaders to share theirs.

It’s professional, energizing, and builds visibility for strong leadership—plus, who doesn’t love a good coffee aesthetic?

Final Pour

Your summer leadership doesn’t need to feel like a heatwave of overwhelm. Brew your vision slowly, respond with clarity, and serve your team a calm, confident presence—even when the pressure rises.

Cold Brew Confidence isn’t just a vibe—it’s a strategy.

Let’s raise our iced cups to the principals everywhere making things happen in the off-season. You’ve got this, and your leadership is anything but on ice.

Follow along for more caffeinated courage and daily doses of school leadership inspiration at @leadership.with.a.latte and my blog at www.leadershipwithalatte.com.

☕️ Here’s to leading boldly—with grace, grit, and good coffee.

Julianne