Trust, Openness, Understanding: Executive Coaching for Principals at Cherry View Elementary

Aug 26

Paul Helberg, principal of Cherry View Elementary, spent a year in an executive coaching partnership built around a simple goal: understand his team better, and give them the tools to be honest with each other. What started as leadership development for one principal became a shift in how an entire school communicates.

This is what executive coaching for principals looks like when it's paired with team-wide programs, not delivered as a single one-off session.

→ TRUST

→ OPENNESS

→ UNDERSTANDING

Leading a diverse team through change

Paul Helberg, the principal of Cherry View Elementary, embarked on a year-long coaching partnership to strengthen his leadership skills and enhance team dynamics among his staff. Leading a diverse group of educators, Paul aimed to cultivate a culture of openness and trust within the school. His efforts focused on understanding individual communication styles and equipping his team to navigate challenging conversations more effectively.

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Principal in a coaching conversation with school staff at Cherry View Elementary

Our aims for the partnership

Strengthen leadership skills

The strategy focuses on enhancing leadership impact by fostering a deeper understanding of staff needs and improving the ability to navigate challenging conversations and conflicts effectively.

Enhance staff cohesion

Building greater awareness of individual communication styles and strengths is key to enabling the team to function more effectively as a cohesive unit.

Create a culture of open dialogue

The approach aims to cultivate an environment where difficult conversations are approached with openness and honesty, encouraging constructive problem-solving and stronger collaboration among staff.

Inside the approach: three coordinated programs

The partnership ran three programs at once, aimed at the principal, the staff, and the school's culture respectively — rather than treating leadership development as one person's problem to solve alone.

Executive coaching for Paul Helberg, to:

Deepen his understanding of leadership through self-reflection and feedback.
Leverage his MBTI profile to align his leadership approach with staff interactions.
Strengthen conflict management skills and confidence in navigating challenges with emotional intelligence.
Enhance adaptability to meet the needs of a dynamic school environment.

MBTI workshop for staff, to:

Understand individual personality types and their impact on communication styles.
Increase awareness of team members' preferences to foster collaboration.
Embrace diverse working styles as opportunities for connection.
Apply strategies to improve daily communication and relationships.

Courageous Conversations program, to:

Teach staff how to engage in difficult conversations respectfully and productively.
Encourage open dialogue to address conflicts, share feedback, and resolve issues constructively.
Equip the team with tools and techniques to navigate sensitive topics with greater ease, fostering a culture of trust and support.

What changed

Leadership growth

Coaching enabled Paul to develop a more adaptive leadership style, enhancing his ability to understand and respond to his team's needs. His conflict management skills improved significantly, and his staff noted increased emotional intelligence and approachability.

Stronger team dynamics

The MBTI session had a lasting positive impact, with teachers gaining greater clarity about their own communication styles and appreciating their colleagues' unique strengths. This led to stronger collaboration and more cohesive teamwork.

Open communication culture

The Courageous Conversations program transformed how staff communicated at Cherry View Elementary. Team members became more comfortable engaging in open, honest discussions, fostering greater trust and psychological safety. Conflicts were addressed proactively, resulting in a more harmonious work environment.

If your school is facing similar pressure on communication and trust, executive coaching paired with a team-wide program is a good place to start.

Nucleo Coaching is led by Tony Joseph, a certified executive coach and former Director of Talent Management at Medtronic.

Learn more about our work with schools

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school cultureleadership coachingprofessional developmentMBTI

Tony Joseph, Nucleo Coacing

I believe leadership isn’t just a difference-maker—it’s THE difference-maker.

My own understanding of leadership was shaped long before I became a coach. As a first-generation American, military veteran, husband, and father, I’ve learned that leadership is ultimately about people: how we show up for them, how we communicate when things get difficult, and how we create the conditions for others to do their best work. My four years in the United States Air Force taught me what it means to make high-stakes decisions, work alongside people with different perspectives, and lead with clarity and purpose when the pressure is on.

Today, as the founder of Nucleo Coaching, I bring those lessons into my work with leaders and teams. My passion is helping people better understand themselves, challenge the beliefs or patterns that may be holding them back, and turn that awareness into meaningful action. I don’t believe leadership development should be one-size-fits-all. I believe in listening first, understanding what’s really happening beneath the surface, and creating strategies built around the people and challenges in front of me. Because when people are given the right support, tools, and space to grow, they don’t just become better leaders—they create stronger teams, healthier cultures, and lasting change.

https://schools.nucleocoaching.com/education