Reflecting on two significant milestones in my leadership journey, I can pinpoint moments where my understanding and application of educational theory played a crucial role in shaping my growth as a leader. The first milestone was when I encountered a challenging situation where conflict arose among my two team members. Initially, I struggled to manage the situation effectively, feeling overwhelmed by the emotions and tensions present. However, drawing upon educational theories such as transformational leadership and collaborative learning, I recognized the importance of fostering open communication and creating a supportive environment for dialogue. By applying principles of active listening and empathy, I was able to facilitate constructive discussions, identify underlying issues, and work collaboratively toward resolution. This experience taught me the value of relational leadership and the power of creating a culture of trust and respect within teams. The second milestone occurred when I was tasked with leading a project that required innovative thinking and reflective practice (Nanwani, 2021). I was asked to spearhead a guided reading program for our middle school students. Feeling uncertain about how to approach the challenge, I turned to theories of instructional design and adult learning to guide my approach. By incorporating principles of experiential learning and learner-centered instruction, I encouraged team members to actively engage in problem-solving activitie