Coherence Starts at the Top - But Support Rarely Does

“The core problem is not resistance to change, but the coherence and consistency of support systems that enable change.”

 -  Tony Wagner

In our last post, we explored how school systems often unintentionally overwhelm their staff by through uncoordinated initiatives and professional learning. We argued that improvement only sticks when support is aligned across all levels: teachers, coaches, principals, and district leaders, because this ensures coherence and focus.

But there’s one level that’s consistently left out of the coaching conversation: district-level administrators. And it’s not just a small oversight. It’s a critical missing piece.

The Most Isolated Leaders in the System

Over the past few years, I’ve worked with assistant superintendents, program directors, and other district office leaders. Again and again, I hear the same thing:

• "I’ve never had a coach."

• "There’s no one else in my role. I feel like I’m figuring it out on my own."

• "I’m responsible for system change, but no one’s helping me think it through."

While principals often have access to leadership coaches and teachers are supported by instructional coaches, district leaders are often left to navigate complex change alone. They’re carrying significant responsibility - strategic planning, implementation support, managing initiatives across schools - but rarely receive the same developmental support and guidance they’re expected to provide to others.

Why It Matters

District leaders don’t just manage logistics - they set the tone for alignment. They determine whether initiatives complement or compete. They either create clarity or allow for confusion.

And when they operate in silos, the entire system feels it. Districts with poorly supported district-level administrators experience:

• Multiple initiatives pulling in different directions.

• Conflicting messages reaching school leaders.

• Inconsistent support for principals and coaches.

This dissonance undermines the very improvement efforts they’re trying to implement.

Not Coaching - Thought Partnership

When I work with district-level leaders, I don’t always use the word "coaching." The work isn’t always about behavior change or practice refinement. It’s about thinking strategically, aligning efforts, identifying levers, and sequencing change.

That’s why I use the term "thought partner."

Thought partnership is about:

• Helping leaders navigate change when they have limited authority but broad influence.

• Identifying misalignment and redesigning structures for coherence.

• Supporting collaboration across departments to amplify, rather than inhibit, each other’s work.

In a recent partnership with a district office team, we structured this support intentionally. Through quarterly team planning sessions and biweekly thought partnership meetings, leaders worked together to:

• Align their individual initiatives to a shared vision.

• Design short-cycle implementation plans.

• Manage change in a way that made it more likely to stick.

The result? More focus, less friction, and a greater sense of momentum.

Why Outside Organizations Often Miss This Level

Professional learning providers (even the well-intentioned ones) often focus on teachers and principals. But systems don’t run on good intentions. They run on alignment.

When we support everyone except the people designing the implementation plans, we create a gap, and then wonder why things fall through it.

If we want true system improvement, we can’t treat district leaders as conduits. We need to treat them as strategic partners who deserve support.

Looking Ahead: Change Strategies That Work at the District Level

This post highlights why district office leaders need support. In our next post, we’ll dig into how. We’ll explore specific change strategies that help district leaders navigate complexity and lead with coherence, even when they don’t have formal authority over every piece of the system.

Reflection Question

How well are your efforts aligned across roles in your system, and where might misalignment be holding you back?