Surviving to Thriving: Building Long-Term Collaborative Cultures with Andrew Marotta - Ep 76

How do you move from simply surviving the chaos of leadership to building a team that truly thrives together?

In this episode of Building a Culture of Collaboration, Lorna and Kurtis sit down with Andrew Marotta, a veteran school leader with 25 years of experience and a former Division 1 men’s basketball official. Andrew shares how the high-pressure world of sports officiating mirrors the complexities of school leadership and why "presence" is the key to unlocking a culture of collaboration. We dive into the "Long Game" of leadership, exploring what to do—and more importantly, what NOT to do—when trying to build trust within your organization. Whether you are a building principal, a district leader, or an aspiring administrator, Andrew’s "Surviving & Thriving" philosophy offers practical, heartfelt strategies to #IMPACT your school culture today.

Key Takeaways:

  • The "Referees' Secret" to maintaining team alignment under pressure.
  • Why storytelling and authentic presence are more effective than compliance-driven management.
  • The most common "culture killers" that leaders should avoid.
  • Strategies for sustaining a collaborative spirit over a 25-year career.

Learn more about Andrew Marotta at https://andrewmarotta.com/

Released March 31, 2026

Connect with Andrew Marotta

Email: andrewmarottallc(at)gmail.com

X: @andrewmarotta21

Facebook: andrewmarotta

Connect with Kurtis Hewson

Email kurtis.hewson(at)jigsawlearning.ca

X @hewsonk27

LinkedIn

Connect with Lorna Hewson

Email lorna.hewson(at)jigsawlearning.ca

X @LornaHewson

LinkedIn


Author: Nadine Wood