Andrew Jordan, the 2022 Illinois Principals Association Principal of the Year and current superintendent, has published an open letter encouraging individuals to focus on small, practical steps rather than waiting for ideal conditions to address challenges. Drawing on his years as an educator and school leader, Jordan argues that meaningful progress often begins with what is already available.
In the letter, Jordan recounts transforming an underused school library by repurposing existing furniture and painting walls, which created a welcoming space for students. This small project later supported grant funding by demonstrating the concept's viability. "You don't have to solve every challenge this week. You just have to solve the one sitting in front of you," Jordan wrote.
The message extends beyond education. Jordan, who previously organized races, noted that preparation, consistency, and showing up matter more than grand gestures. "Small adjustments made consistently usually beat one big adjustment made too late," he said.
Research supports this approach. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, nearly one in five U.S. public school students attends a rural school, where resource constraints make incremental improvements critical. The Learning Policy Institute reported that regular progress monitoring can improve student intervention success by nearly 20 percent. RAND research found that schools using shorter review cycles improve outcomes more quickly than those relying solely on annual planning. Additionally, the U.S. Department of Education links strong family and community engagement to higher attendance, stronger academic performance, and improved school climate.
Jordan provided a list of actionable steps individuals can take in the next week, including identifying one problem to improve, organizing a frequently used space, asking someone what would make their week easier, and celebrating a small success instead of waiting for a major milestone. He emphasized that these actions apply to workplaces, neighborhoods, and personal routines.
The impact of this message is significant for business and technology leaders, who often face complex challenges requiring sustained effort. Jordan's approach aligns with agile methodologies and continuous improvement practices prevalent in tech industries. By advocating for steady, incremental progress, the letter offers a practical framework for leaders to foster innovation and resilience without waiting for perfect conditions.
"You don't need perfect conditions. You need people who are willing to start," Jordan concluded.
