HOPE in Action: Leading with Purpose, Habits, and Heart
Hello Friend,
I’m someone who loves a great book, lessons on leadership, and people who help us become our best selves. Naturally, that brings me to Brené Brown—a researcher, storyteller, and best-selling author whose work is a powerful example of HOPE in action. Her approach is grounded in vulnerability, strengthened by courage, and sustained by compassion and connection.
At its core, leadership isn’t about titles or recognition. It’s about showing up with integrity, creating space for others to grow, and fostering environments where well-being and excellence can thrive. That’s exactly what Brené Brown teaches—leadership rooted in empathy, self-awareness, and wholehearted living (Dare to Lead, 2018).
She reminds us that resilience doesn’t come from powering through challenges, but from embracing discomfort, building intentional habits, and showing up consistently—even when it’s hard. As she writes, “You can choose courage, or you can choose comfort, but you cannot choose both” (Dare to Lead, 2018).
Her work calls us to lead with our whole selves—by embracing vulnerability, setting boundaries, and prioritizing wellness—not just for ourselves, but for the people we lead. In a culture that often glorifies burnout, her message is a bold and necessary reminder: “Who we are is how we lead” (Dare to Lead, 2018).
If you’re ready to lead with purpose, strengthen your habits, and invest in your well-being, we invite you to join the Spark HOPE Leadership Lab—a 6-week summer reset designed to help you refocus, reenergize, and rise.
We begin Wednesday, July 23, 2025—and we’d love to have you with us.
Spark H.O.P.E. Leadership Lab - 6 Week Summer Reset
"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters." — Colossians 3:23 (NIV)
Purpose isn’t found in a job title, status, or success. It’s found in the way we serve—with love, humility, and faith—right where we are. Whether you’re caring for a family, leading a team, volunteering, or simply showing up every day, your work matters when it’s done for God.
Colossians 3:23 reminds us that our true calling isn’t about impressing others—it’s about honoring the Lord in all we do. Each of us has a purpose, and when we give our best with a willing heart, even the ordinary becomes sacred.
No act of faithfulness is wasted. So whatever you do—do it with all your heart.
“Connection is why we’re here; it is what gives purpose and meaning to our lives.” — Brené Brown
There are moments in every school or district when the pace feels relentless and the work begins to feel like a list of tasks rather than a shared mission. But then something shifts—a meaningful conversation in the hallway, a team rallying around a student, or a quiet act of kindness between colleagues. These small moments are reminders that we’re not in this work alone. As Brené Brown writes, “Connection is why we’re here; it is what gives purpose and meaning to our lives.” In serving one another and building a culture of care, we begin to feel that deeper purpose. It’s not just about programs or performance—it’s about people. And when we lead with connection, our schools become more than institutions—they become communities where everyone can thrive.
✨ Final Spark
Your Turn: Share Your HOPE in Action Story
Who do you know that has used resourcefulness and resilience to rise above their circumstances? Have you experienced a time when creative problem-solving or inner discipline helped you or someone you admire make a meaningful impact?
We invite you to share that story.
👉 Submit your “HOPE in Action” story today (just reply to this email) for a chance to be featured in a future issue of the newsletter. Your story could be the encouragement someone else needs to keep going.
Let’s celebrate those who lead with action, purpose, and hope.
With heart and hope,
Brandi Kelly, Ed.D., LCSW
Chief HOPE Officer, Spark HOPE Edu, LLC
Email me at bkelly@sparkhopeedu.com to place your order and receive your free book study guide.
