Aligned Leadership

by Derrick Kunsman

We’ve officially entered the braces era in our household.

Our twelve-year-old daughter, with her steady courage and a smile she’s now a little more cautious to flash, had her “orthodontic appliance” installed last week.

She’s been a total trooper. Meanwhile, I’m still recovering from the sticker shock.

It’s a rite of passage for many families. That phase where your kid walks into an orthodontist’s office with teeth that, if we’re being honest, work just fine… and walks out with enough metal in their mouth to redirect a compass.

The next 18 to 24 months will be filled with adjustments (literally and figuratively), some pain, a new brushing routine that resembles dental yoga, and a total ban on her favorite foods. (Farewell, caramel. You were loved.)

All this time, effort, and investment—financial, emotional, logistical—isn’t because something was broken. It’s because something could be better.

And this got me thinking…

When “Fine” Is No Longer Enough

At school, a key position recently turned over. It’s a role that’s been part of our system for years. It functions. It supports. It gets the job done. In many ways, it’s “fine.”

But as we’ve navigate the transition, I find myself wondering (with the help of some trusted teammates): Is “fine” really good enough anymore?

Could this be an opportunity to “put on some braces” organizationally: to reimagine the structure, adjust responsibilities, and better align the role with the current needs of our school?

What if we endured some short-term discomfort to create a system that doesn’t just function, but shines? One that prevents bigger problems down the road, builds stronger internal connections, and reflects who we are now as a school and who we’re becoming?

Because, just like with braces, sometimes you realign not because things are broken, but because things could be more beautiful, more functional, and more sustainable in the long run.

Growth Is Awkward (and Worth It)

Whether it’s in parenting or in school leadership, change is rarely seamless.

Realignment hurts. It creates tension. You miss caramel.
You wonder if the cost is worth it.
You get annoyed with the process.
You want to go back to how things were, because that was easier.

But I’ve learned (and continue to re-learn, sometimes the hard way), that easier isn’t always better. That growth looks awkward before it looks aligned. That temporary discomfort is the price of lasting strength.

I’m not writing this from a place of expertise. I don’t have the blueprint or the perfect fix.

I’m writing from a place of process: a dad trying to do right by his daughter, and a principal trying to do right by his school.

Both require patience. Both require perspective. And both, brace yourself, require alignment.

Let’s Realign, Together

If you’re also wrestling with change, rethinking a system, or simply trying to balance your personal and professional life with a little more purpose, I’d love to connect.

I’m just a dad and a middle school principal trying to connect the dots between life and leadership. Trying to stay open, listen well, and make small choices today that lead to something better tomorrow.

If that resonates with you, if you’re also realigning something in your life or leadership, I’d love to connect. Not because I have all the answers, but because I believe in the power of walking the journey together.

And remember, discomfort now can lead to a stronger, straighter, more sustainable smile down the road. Even if you have to skip the popcorn for a while. 

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Aligned Leadership | Lead With Purpose. Live With Alignment.