Walking Away to Reach Greatness (CtbG Y3:E22)

~ Angelo DelliSanti

I sometimes wonder how certain social media posts find their way into my algorithm. I’ll be scrolling along, and then—BOOM—I get hit with a video explaining how to crimp my eyelashes.

Really? Where did that come from? Are my eyelashes that bad?

Joking aside, something similar started happening to me about a week ago on Facebook, but this time with posts from Winnie the Pooh. At first, I didn’t pay much attention and kept scrolling. But as the posts kept popping up in different places, I found myself slowing down to read the quotes in the pictures. (By the way, this is exactly how algorithms work.)

Unsurprisingly, the quotes were good. Most didn’t directly apply to leadership, but they spoke to life, and I started seeking out more posts featuring Winnie and Piglet just to read the quotes. I even looked up a bunch the other day and read some of the sweeter ones to Kasey. For example, here’s one:

“If you live to be 100, I want to live to be 100 minus one day so I never have to live without you.”

(Cue the “Aww…”)

But that’s not the quote I wanted to share with you today. Instead, I came across one I found to be particularly profound for leaders:

“I always get to where I am going by walking away from where I have been.”

As leaders, we often find ourselves standing at the crossroads of comfort and growth. The wisdom in this quote reminds us that progress — and ultimately, greatness— requires movement. It demands that we walk away from where we’ve been, leaving behind familiar routines, outdated mindsets, and the safety of what we know. Getting to where you’re going requires the courage to step into the unknown and embrace discomfort.

This morning, I encourage you to take that first step — however small — and keep walking forward. Trust that each step will carry you closer to where you are meant to be and the greatness you are capable of achieving.

#ChooseToBeGreat

—Angelo

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Published by Angelo DelliSanti

“Education? You don’t want to do that with your life. You’ve got other plans.” That’s what Angelo DelliSanti’s high school counselor told him his senior year. And she was right—at first. Angelo had spent three years preparing to become a U.S. Navy officer. But an internship with a math teacher during his senior year changed everything. Helping struggling students master algebra sparked a passion for education that would shape his career. Over the next 15 years, Angelo served as a teacher, assistant principal, and principal, returning to his alma mater to teach World History and later advancing to leadership roles. As a principal, Angelo implemented the Capturing Kids’ Hearts process, leading to remarkable academic gains, increased scholarships, record-breaking graduation rates, and improved school culture. These achievements earned him recognition as the Rowan-Salisbury Schools Principal of the Year in 2018. In 2022, Angelo joined Capturing Kids’ Hearts as a Leadership Solutions Strategist where he is dedicated to working together with school leaders to create remarkable schools. He holds a Bachelor’s in History and Secondary Education from UNC Charlotte, where he was a North Carolina Teaching Fellow. He also completed a Master’s in School Administration and completed all the required coursework for a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from his alma mater, earning the Outstanding Student Philip Morris Educational Fellowship in 2017. Angelo lives in North Carolina with his wife, Kasey, whom he married in 2008. Together, they enjoy escapes to the mountains and beaches. Angelo’s passions include golf, non-fiction books, cooking, and sharing meals filled with laughter and connection around the table.

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