In this video, Elisha McCardell-Staley reflects on her first experience walking onto a turnaround campus as a leadership coach. Initially focused on quick system fixes, she soon realized that true transformation comes from people—not just policies.Key insights include: ✅ Establishing a clear vision to unite staff and students. ✅ Empowering others by building trust and leadership at every level. ✅ Fostering relationships to create a culture of belief and resilience.The perspective she now embraces centers on inspiring lasting change rather than simply fixing what’s broken. Leadership isn’t just about systems—it’s about empowering people to imagine and achieve a better future. Elisha McCardell is a passionate Leadership Coach with over 20 years of experience in K-12 education and a decade in Educational Leadership. Renowned for her expertise in turning around failing schools, Elisha has led successful school improvement efforts across more than ten districts in Texas. As the founder of MAC Coaching & Consulting LLC, she specializes in leadership development, organizational health, and school turnaround, empowering teams to unlock their full potential and drive sustainable growth. Elisha is a staunch advocate for sustainable leadership practices, combining visionary thinking with practical strategies to create meaningful and lasting impact. A dynamic speaker and coach, Elisha inspires audiences to embrace bold ideas, lead with purpose, and achieve transformative results in education and beyond. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx