Grindal’s appearance on the Land and Lead podcast offers practical advice for leaders in high-stakes roles and insights into new SRI research.
In a new episode of the Land and Lead podcast, host Josh Elmore sits down with Todd Grindal, president of SRI Education, to explore what it means to step into senior leadership amid significant uncertainty. Drawing on his background as a researcher, teacher, and administrator — as well as his progression through SRI — Grindal reflects on how he navigated a shifting federal funding landscape while keeping his team focused and motivated.
Grindal shares strategies that anchored his leadership during a time of transition: leaning in to humility, listening deeply, and maintaining clarity when the path forward wasn’t obvious. He discusses how he led through crisis by orienting around excellence, value, and mission-driven impact, and why connecting day-to-day work to meaningful metrics matters more than ever.
One of his most memorable insights: When interpreting data or leading organizational change, look for the “white space” as much as for what’s there. The conversation closes with practical advice for leaders in high-stakes roles and an exciting look at new research at SRI.
Learn more about what’s going on at SRI in the field of education.
