Name: Dr. Donya Ball

Title: Transformative Superintendent, Speaker & Author

Organisation: Dr. Ball LLC

Dr. Donya Ball is a renowned international keynote speaker, bestselling author, and leadership expert celebrated for her ability to uncover relatable leadership challenges across diverse sectors. She empowers organizations to achieve transformation through her no-nonsense, practical, and solution-focused strategies. As a professor and seasoned mentor with over two decades of experience, Dr. Ball has inspired countless leaders to navigate the complexities of leadership with confidence and clarity.

Dr. Ball is the author of two number-one release books: Adjusting the Sails: Weathering the Storms of Administrative Leadership (2022) and Against the Wind: Leadership at 36,000 Feet (2023). Both works explore real-world leadership challenges and offer actionable insights that resonate across industries. Her expertise has been recognized nationwide, with features in USA Today and MSN, positioning her as a thought leader in executive and organizational leadership.

In 2024, Dr. Ball delivered a TEDx Talk titled “We Are Facing a Leadership Crisis. Here’s the Cure,” where she shared her compelling vision for addressing today's pressing leadership challenges. Her message emphasizes the need for adaptive leadership, emotional intelligence, and creating cultures of accountability and innovation.

Thank you to the 2,000 leaders who’ve generously done the 7 Questions on Educational Leadership!

I hope Dr. Donya's answers will encourage you in your leadership journey. Enjoy!

Cheers,

Jonno White

1. What have you found most challenging as an Educational Leader?

One of the most challenging aspects of being an educational leader is navigating the constant tension between vision and reality. As a superintendent, professor, and keynote speaker, I am deeply committed to igniting impactful change in organizations, but real transformation requires shifting mindsets, systems, and long-standing practices. Change is rarely met without resistance, and one of the greatest challenges is helping people move beyond their comfort zones to embrace new ways of thinking and leading.

Another significant challenge is addressing the leadership crisis we are facing in education today. Many leaders feel overwhelmed, unsupported, and stuck in survival mode rather than thriving in their roles. Through my books, keynotes, and coaching, I focus on equipping leaders with practical, no-nonsense strategies to not only weather the storms of leadership but to emerge stronger.

Lastly, fostering a culture of support—especially among women in leadership, has been both a challenge and a passion of mine. I’ve seen firsthand how women can struggle to uplift one another, and I believe it’s our responsibility as leaders to model what true collaboration and empowerment look like.

Despite these challenges, I firmly believe that with the right mindset, systems, and strategic leadership, we can create lasting change in education. It starts with being bold, staying resilient, and always adjusting the sails when the winds of leadership shift.

2. How did you become an Educational Leader? Can you please briefly tell the story?

Of course! Here’s a strong response that captures your journey and impact: My journey into educational leadership wasn’t something I initially set out for—it was something I grew into through passion, perseverance, and a deep commitment to making a difference. Education has always been a part of my DNA, but my leadership path truly took shape when I realized that systemic change requires bold, strategic leadership.

Early in my career, I was deeply engaged in instructional leadership, mentoring educators, and shaping the learning experience for students. But I quickly saw that impactful change doesn’t happen in isolation—it requires leaders willing to challenge the status quo and reimagine what’s possible. That realization pushed me to step into leadership roles where I could drive transformation on a larger scale.

Over the years, I’ve served as a superintendent, professor, and mentor to leaders across the country. Through my books, keynotes, and consulting, I’ve had the opportunity to inspire and equip others with practical strategies to navigate the complex challenges of leadership. My TEDx talk and national keynotes focus on igniting leadership impact, and I continue to push for change in education by working with leaders who are ready to adjust their sails and move forward.

Ultimately, I became an educational leader because I saw a need and knew I had the ability—and the responsibility—to step up. Leadership isn’t about titles; it’s about influence. And my mission is to help others realize that they, too, have the power to lead, transform, and create meaningful change.

3. How do you structure your work days from waking up to going to sleep?

Morning Routine: I start my day early, typically around 5:30 AM, because I believe the morning sets the tone for the entire day. My mornings include a mix of reflection, movement, and preparation. I often start with a quiet moment to set my intentions for the day, followed by some form of exercise to energize me. I also carve out time to review my schedule and prioritize my top goals.

Workday Focus: My workdays are dynamic and filled with a mix of responsibilities, whether it’s leading strategy meetings, mentoring leaders, meeting with parents, and of course putting out all the unplanned "fires".

Late Afternoon & Evening Focus: This is also where I dedicate time to preparing for upcoming speaking engagements, taking part in podcast interviews, researching, writing, and teaching at the graduate level.

Balance & Boundaries: One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned in leadership is that high performance isn’t about doing more—it’s about being intentional with your time. I fiercely protect my energy by ensuring I’m focusing on work that aligns with my mission and making an impact where it matters most.

Ultimately, my days are structured around my belief that leadership isn’t just about what you accomplish—it’s about how you show up, stay disciplined, and create sustainable impact.

4. What's a recent lesson you've learned for the first time or been reminded of as an Educational Leader?

A recent lesson that I’ve been reminded of as an educational leader is the power of intentional risk-taking and how growth only happens when we’re willing to step into the unknown with purpose.

In leadership, it’s easy to get caught up in playing it safe—sticking to what’s familiar, what’s been done before, and what feels comfortable. But real progress, innovation, and transformation don’t happen in the comfort zone. They happen when we’re willing to take strategic risks, challenge the status quo, and trust ourselves enough to step forward even when we don’t have all the answers.

I was recently faced with a decision that required me to embrace this lesson firsthand. There was an opportunity that aligned with my passion and long-term vision, but it also required me to stretch beyond what was comfortable. Instead of letting uncertainty hold me back, I leaned into the risk, knowing that even if the outcome wasn’t guaranteed, the growth from the experience would be invaluable.

What I’ve learned is that risk-taking in leadership isn’t about being reckless—it’s about being intentional. It’s about understanding that the greatest impact comes from making bold, strategic moves rather than waiting for the "perfect" time or conditions.

At the end of the day, leaders who are willing to take smart risks create opportunities, not just for themselves, but for those they lead. And the biggest risk of all? Staying stuck in what’s safe and missing out on what’s possible.

5. What's one book that has had a profound impact on your journey as an Educational Leader so far? Can you please briefly tell the story of how that book impacted you?

One book that has had a profound impact on my journey as an educational leader is Failing Forward by John C. Maxwell. This book completely shifted my perspective on failure—not as a setback, but as a necessary step toward success.

As a leader, I’ve faced my share of challenges, setbacks, and moments where things didn’t go as planned. Early in my career, I used to view these moments as obstacles, something to be avoided or minimized. But Failing Forward helped me realize that failure isn’t the opposite of success—it’s a critical part of the process. What separates successful leaders from others isn’t that they never fail; it’s that they learn, adapt, and grow from those failures instead of being defined by them.

One lesson from the book that has stuck with me is the idea that failure isn’t fatal unless we refuse to learn from it. This mindset has shaped how I approach leadership, decision-making, and even the way I mentor others. When I coach leaders, I emphasize the importance of resilience, reflection, and using setbacks as stepping stones rather than stopping points.

This book reinforced something I now speak about often: adjusting the sails. Just because the winds of leadership shift doesn’t mean we stop moving forward. It means we recalibrate, learn from what didn’t work, and press on with even greater clarity and purpose.

Ultimately, Failing Forward has been a reminder that the best leaders aren’t the ones who avoid failure but the ones who leverage it to become stronger, wiser, and more impactful. And that’s a lesson I carry with me every day.

6. If you could only give one piece of advice to a young educator who aspires to be an Educational Leader, what would you say to them?

If I could give one piece of advice to a young educator who aspires to be an educational leader, it would be this: Leave the organization that does not value your contributions.

Too often, talented, passionate educators stay in environments that stifle their growth, overlook their value, or fail to recognize the impact they bring. They hold on, hoping things will change, waiting for someone to notice, or believing that loyalty means enduring a system that does not invest in them. But the truth is—your leadership, your voice, and your impact will only thrive in a space that recognizes and nurtures your potential.

Great leaders are not just made by experience; they are made by where they choose to plant themselves. If you find yourself in an organization that dismisses your ideas, limits your growth, or makes you feel unseen, have the courage to walk away. Your skills and passion deserve to be poured into a place that values, challenges, and elevates you.

You owe it to yourself and to the students and educators you will one day lead to be in a space where your leadership can flourish. The best leaders don’t just stay where they are comfortable—they go where they are valued.

7. What is one meaningful story that comes to mind from your time as an Educational Leader, so far?

One of the most meaningful lessons I’ve learned as an educational leader is that not all criticism is about you—sometimes, it’s a reflection of the critic’s own dissatisfaction. Early in my leadership journey, I encountered a group of vocal critics who seemed to challenge everything I did. No matter how much progress we made, how many positive changes took place, or how much I worked to create solutions, they found reasons to tear it down. At first, I took it personally. I questioned whether I needed to change my approach, work harder, or somehow win them over.

Then, I had a realization: their negativity had nothing to do with me—it had everything to do with where they were in their own lives. Some of the loudest voices were those who felt stuck, overlooked, or discontent with their own paths. Instead of doing the hard work of growing, evolving, or stepping into leadership themselves, they found comfort in criticizing those who dared to move forward.

That realization changed everything. I stopped wasting energy trying to convince people who had already decided to be unhappy. Instead, I focused on those who were willing to grow, those ready to embrace change, and those committed to making an impact. The more I leaned into that mindset, the more I saw real transformation happen—not just in organizations, but in the people who chose to rise above the noise and lead with purpose.

The lesson? Not everyone will celebrate your growth. Some will resent it because it reminds them of what they haven’t done. But that’s not your burden to carry. Keep leading. Keep moving forward. And most importantly—never let someone else’s unhappiness define your path.