let them lead: what carmen coleman teaches us about communication, trust, and the future of schools

Every so often, someone writes something that feels less like an article and more like a permission slip. That’s what Carmen Coleman’s recent piece in What School Could Be — “Let Them…” — offers to educators. It’s a mindset shift that sounds simple, but for many of us working inside or alongside school systems, it hits like a deep exhale.

why “let them…” matters right now

Carmen’s article invites educators to loosen our instinct to control and tighten our instinct to trust.

Let them explore.
Let them try.
Let them get messy.
Let them discover who they are.

It’s a mindset about learning, yes, but also about leadership. And in 2025, when superintendents and communications teams are navigating polarized climates, shifting expectations, and nonstop public scrutiny, “Let Them…” offers something rare: a posture that builds psychological safety, shared ownership, and relational trust.

Because here’s the truth rarely said out loud: you cannot control your way into stronger communication... but you can trust your way into it.

leaders who embody the mindset: a personal note about carmen

I first met Carmen during her time in JCPS, when she was pushing a massive system toward deeper learning by trusting students to show what they could do, not just what they could recall. Later, our team supported her vision for Elevated Studios and helped bring that brand to life during her time at OVEC. Every step of the way, Carmen led with a kind of grounded optimism that made everyone around her braver.

But the moment that captures her leadership best isn’t from a district office...it’s from my daughter’s kitchen counter.



When Vivian started her small macaron business (shout out to Vivian’s Kitchen), Carmen didn’t just buy a box. She encouraged her. She championed her. She invited her to present at conferences. Literally giving a young entrepreneur the microphone in rooms where adults usually hold the floor.

That is “Let Them…” in action.

Let them try. Let them stretch. Let them be taken seriously.

It’s who Carmen is. And it’s why her article resonates far beyond instructional practice. It’s a blueprint for how leadership *especially communication leadership* can look and feel in a healthier system.

the communications angle: what superintendents + comms directors can learn from “let them…”

Communications in a district are often framed as risk management. Tight control. Closed loops. Perfectly polished statements.

But the communities we serve don’t respond to perfection (shocking, right?), they respond to presence.

Here’s how our team believes the “Let Them…” mindset translates into district communications:

let your people speak.

Staff, students, and families are your district’s most credible storytellers. When leaders trust their community to share authentic stories, communications become distributed, not bottlenecked.

let stories emerge organically.

Not everything needs a scripted moment or a staged photo. Some of the most impactful stories come from letting real life show up as it is: imperfect, joyful, human.

let communication be a shared table, not a guarded gate.

Invite more voices into planning, feedback loops, and celebrations. Trust builds when people see themselves reflected in the story being told.

let transparency win.

Perfection distances people. Vulnerability connects them. When districts communicate openly (even in hard moments) communities feel respected, not managed.

Ultimately, Carmen’s message is a reminder that communication is not just what we say...it’s how we lead.



If you’re a superintendent, comms director, or school leader wanting to build a communication system rooted in trust, transparency, and shared storytelling — let’s talk.

This is the work we love, and the work that changes cultures.