Have you ever felt like you’re constantly juggling priorities—but the most important things always seem to slip through the cracks?
In this episode of Making the Grade, Georgia & Christine sit down with Dr. Curt Merlau—an educator turned education consultant who now leads a national team at Resultant, a data and technology firm that helps schools and agencies use the right data, at the right time, for the right people.
Read the cliff notes below or 🎧 listen now:
From Classroom to Systems-Level Leadership
As a first-generation college student and longtime problem-solver, Curt carved a path from the classroom into systems-level leadership—all while navigating the personal challenge of managing his own executive function skills.
He shares how he learned to balance competing demands, build structure in high-pressure environments, and apply tools that keep him grounded.
The Power of Emotional Regulation
Curt opens up about:
How Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy helped him better understand his own emotional responses.
The role of emotional regulation in staying effective as a leader.
Why being the smartest in the room isn’t the goal—and what to aim for instead.
Rocks, Pebbles, and Sand: Managing Competing Priorities
Curt also shares how his team uses:
The Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS)
The “Rocks, Pebbles, and Sand” method to prioritize what matters most
The Daily Drumbeat—a framework for staying aligned and grounded at work and at home.