At the end of 2024, the National Microschooling Center performed a sector analysis on American microschools. The report used data from 400 microschools across 41 states to determine the outlook of this growing movement. Interestingly, they found a 50/50 split between current founders who are brand new to running a business, and those who have started at least one other business before starting their microschool. There was a similar outcome among prospective microschool founders, with 51% stating that this would be their first business venture.
If this trend continues, half of all microschools will be run by people who are learning business as they go. What an amazing model for the kids in their schools—creative problem-solving, willingness to try new things, tenacity, and lifelong learning! However, it can be a huge undertaking to be a first-time entrepreneur, especially while caring so deeply for the well-being of your students.
Entrepreneurs tend to wear many hats. A startup business struggles with capital, both human and financial, and therefore, the founder often tries to manage the bulk (if not all) of the aspects of running the business. As a general pattern in business, one survey found in 2024 that 49% of startup owners were considering quitting due to burnout.
Rather than getting burned out, let me offer you a framework that protects your mental health by keeping you working in the areas that give you joy and energy. In his book The 6 Types of Working Genius, Patrick Lencioni offers a unique approach to building a leadership team. Whether your school is already open and seeking to grow, or you are just starting out on your microschool journey, the more you can keep yourself working in your areas of genius by outsourcing your working frustrations, the more longevity you will have as a founder.
The following is a list of possible jobs that need to be done when opening a microschool, based on Lencioni’s working genius framework. You may find that certain job descriptions give you energy and joy, while others feel more taxing. You can take Lencioni’s short assessment if you would like a more in-depth analysis of your personal profile.
1. The Visionary
Working Genius: Wonder
- Asks the big questions about how learning should feel, look, and sound.
- Imagines what is possible: “What if we learned outside, had a school on wheels, let the kids pick their projects?”
- Prays, meditates, or journals on the purpose and calling of the school.
- Defines the mission and vision of the school and regularly filters ideas through that lens.
2. Program Evaluator
Working Genius: Discernment
- Filters project proposals (curriculum, partnerships, parent feedback) for alignment with the school’s core values.
- Senses the right people to invite into the space according to values alignment and school needs: hiring, family interviews, etc.
- Uses intuition to make timely decisions without needing all the data.
3. Program Designer
Working Genius: Invention
- Creates the systems to support the vision and mission: rhythms and schedules, learning experiences, environment and other tools.
- Designs the space and learning environment specific to the model employed.
- Creates branding and messaging to convey the mission and vision.
- Finds creative solutions to problems as they arise.
4. The Rally Leader
Working Genius: Galvanizing
- Builds community by inviting families into the space, hosting open houses and information meetings, or engaging online.
- Communicates the mission and vision of the school clearly and passionately, whether online or in person.
- Seeks out partnerships for funding, volunteers, and donations.
- Energizes the team or the student body to build momentum on initiatives.
5. Operations Support
- The first to ask, “How can I help?” in the early messy stages.
- Arrives early and stays late to get things running smoothly.
- Listens to families, helps them feel welcome and seen, and responds to needs as they arise.
- Task-driven, offers help freely, and works most of the daily operations.
6. Project Completion Specialist
Working Genius: Tenacity
- Follows through on important tasks like legal compliance, licensing, insurance policies, zoning laws, and reporting.
- Finishes applications for funding sources like grants and ESAs.
- Builds systems for tracking student records, billing, and budgeting.
- Creates systems for seeing school projects (possibly related to students or staff) through to the finish line.
What I love about this framework is that it gives me permission to have things I’m not good at or don’t enjoy doing, and reminds me that there are people who thrive in different roles. As Lencioni teaches, “Success requires us to understand the areas where we shine as well as those where we don’t.”
If I have the financial ability, I outsource my working frustrations. That can be a freelancer handling one specific project or task, a subscription software that makes the task more automated, or a hired employee. If I don’t have the means to hire it out, I can leverage AI tools to break it down into subtasks that feel more manageable, or even let AI do some of it for me. I can choose to be efficient rather than perfectionist in that area, or make it more enjoyable by moving it into the realm of my working genius.
Next time you are feeling weighed down by a necessary task, recognize it as a sign that you are working in your zone of frustration. Try giving yourself a “break” by switching to a task in your zone of genius. You will continue to build momentum, and then carry that renewed enthusiasm into the more challenging items on your to-do list.
