The EI Show - S02E09 - Two Rules in Leadership with Brenda Yoho

As a leader how much impact do you have on those you lead?

This question isn’t just for employers

It really starts much earlier than that. It begins with how we are educated from a very young age. Our educators are our very first leaders and they play a major role in our success in life.

In this episode, Brenda discusses and shares with us some fascinating insights on how she works with educators to create an environment that is conducive to the long-term success of the children and young adults they are educating. Brenda strongly believes that educating our children and giving them a good environment where they can thrive and learn, this will directly impact their lives forever.

Brenda even wrote a book on this topic ;)

This conversation was absolutely fascinating, 

Here, have a listen…

Show Recap:

1. What is your message that you share with the world?

Helping Leaders establish a plan to help everyone feel good and feel safe.  As an individual from the world of education, I have focused on working to ensure creating an environment and culture where this exists.  However, it is more than having it for a short period of the day, but learning how to gain the skills to achieve making these two rules happen in every part of your life.  Working with home, school and community we can change what this can be.

2. How did you discover this message?

Through my life journey and professional career.  As a child my parents were not educated.  I experienced in third grade a situation which made me not feel good or feel safe at school.  I carried this feeling until I met teachers in high school who became the trusted adults I needed to help me overcome.  Then as I worked in education I practiced many of the tools, strategies and resources discussed in the book to reach the blueprint I provide for success in achieving.

3. What about this message is so near-and-dear to your heart?

Children are the most important part of our world.  It is important to me for all children to have their needs met, to feel good and to feel safe.  Education is something we do with children, not to them.  Our society is a reflection of what we have allowed to happen.  It will take all of us, home-school-community, to work together to find true results.

4. Who are the typical people this message resonates with?

Those who are eager for solutions to problems they see with safety and over-all wellness in the lives of others. People who are interested in working for positive changes.

5. Where do you draw your inspiration from?

My inspiration comes from the echoes of the voices of the children I have served, those who continue to reach out to me, my daily devotions and knowing feeling good and feeling safe is part of Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs.  When you look at what he suggests, you can clearly see, all of those needs can easily be narrowed to these Two Rules.

Brenda Yoho Bio:

With over two decades of experience as an educator in various school settings, Brenda Yoho has cultivated a profound philosophy of education known as Two Rules. This philosophy serves as a foundation for fostering building-wide support for the social-emotional learning and mental health needs of students. Through the years, Brenda witnessed the transformative impact of prioritizing these essential aspects of education, contributing to a positive and nurturing school environment.

Since her retirement from formal education, Brenda’s commitment to educational advancement has not wavered. She has found a meaningful role as a mentor and coach with the Illinois Principals Association, where she guides and supports aspiring and early-career educators. This role allows Brenda to share her wealth of experience and insights, contributing to the growth and development of the next generation of educational leaders.

Brenda put all of her experience and expertise into her book, titled "Lead with Two Rules: Feeling Good and Feeling Safe". This book serves as a conversational exploration of the origins of the philosophy and offers a detailed account of its practical application throughout her career in various school settings, as narrated through the stories of Fall Ridge. 

Feel welcome to connect with Brenda via Linkedin or her website. You can also check out and potentially purchase Brenda's book "Lead With Two Rules - Feeling Good and Feeling Safe". 

Feel welcome to watch the video interview below.

You can also check it out on LinkedIn and Facebook by clicking the links below