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Lifelong Leadership by Design
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Lifelong Leadership by Design
How to Do More Good for Kids and Feel Better About Your Life's Work



October 2009 | 208 pages | Corwin

"This book offers aspiring and veteran school leaders insightful, practical, and proven strategies to successfully acquire and thrive in meaningful professional positions."
—David Freitas, Professor
Indiana University South Bend

Build a dynamic career by design—not by default!

Given the challenges of today's educational environment, a school leader's career is far from predictable—but it can be a purposeful and successful journey. This essential guide helps educators take charge of their careers, advance professionally, and leave a legacy of stronger schools and improved learning opportunities for children.

Based on the best-selling author's extensive school leadership experience, this book helps readers wisely navigate their careers and stay true to their values. The author addresses concerns for readers at every stage of professional life—from highly experienced administrators to those aspiring to leadership positions. Readers will find personal coaching on leading both oneself and others, including:

  • The seven critical choices that shape school leadership, from setting goals to choosing the right battles
  • Guidance on making tough calls and hard choices
  • Advice on finding the right position and work environment and how to flourish personally and professionally
  • Numerous real-life examples of how education leaders face and overcome challenges and build effective learning environments

Take action today to build a purposeful career in school leadership and make a positive difference in children's lives!


 
Preface: It’s Not My High School Principal’s Predictable Career Path Anymore
 
Acknowledgments
 
About the Author
 
About the Title
 
Introduction: No-Limit Leadership by Design
 
1. Your Chosen Journey: Building a Better Leadership Career on Purpose
Is This What You Want?

 
Are You Leadership Material?

 
What’s a Career? What’s Not?

 
Who’s in Control?

 
What Should You Expect?

 
What’s the Plan?

 
 
2. The Seven Critical Choices That Shape Your Leadership
1. Choosing Core Values

 
2. Leading With Attitude

 
3. Defining Stretch Goals

 
4. Getting Priorities Straight

 
5. Finding Role Models

 
6. Associates by Choice

 
7. Picking the Right Battles

 
Choosing When It’s Confusing

 
 
3. Overcoming Self-Imposed Limits, Career Blockers, and False Ceilings
False Ceilings and Self-Made Limitations

 
Other Self-Sabotaging Behaviors

 
 
4. Natural Laws of Lifelong School Leadership
Natural Laws You Can Use

 
Natural Laws of Career Design

 
Natural Laws of School Leadership

 
Ignorance Is No Excuse

 
 
5. Navigation Tips for a Lifelong Journey in School Leadership
The Journey Begins in Your Mind

 
Seeking, Starting, Stopping, and Switching Jobs as a School Leader (or Growing Where You’re Planted)

 
Becoming Indispensable, Promotable, and Transferable

 
The Most Important Skill of All for Today’s (and Tomorrow’s) School Leaders

 
How to Step Up, Stand Out, and Stand Apart as a School Leader

 
Staying the Course and Staying Motivated

 
Finding Your Soul as a School Leader

 
 
6. Success “Secrets” for Career School Leaders
The Power of Thinking Big

 
Leading Others: Building Relationships to Get Results

 
Leading Yourself: Managing the Most Difficult Person of All

 
 
7. Stepping Stones and Stumbling Blocks to Effective School Leadership
Common Stepping Stones and Stumbling Blocks for School Leaders

 
The Most Influential Career Stepping Stones and Stumbling Blocks

 
The Boss Factor

 
The Job Itself as a Stumbling Block

 
The Resilient School Leader: Overcoming Stumbling Blocks and Turning Obstacles Into Opportunities

 
 
8. Making Tough Calls and Hard Choices
Deciding to Decide

 
Career-Changing Choices

 
A How-to-Decide Guide

 
A Permanent State of Transition

 
 
9. Evolution of a Lifelong Career and Leaving a Lasting Legacy
Developmental Phases of Successful School Leadership

 
Every Phase Adds Value to the Legacy

 
Definition of a Legacy

 
Planting Seeds for Lasting Impact

 
How to Design a Legacy to Be Proud Of

 
 
10. A Final Word
 
Resource A. What Others Say
 
Resource B. Read More About It
 
Index

"This book offers aspiring and veteran school leaders insightful, practical, and proven strategies to successfully acquire and thrive in meaningful professional positions."

David Freitas, Professor
Indiana University South Bend

"A warm, personal approach to leadership which reflects a writer with a deep sense of the value of every person and a deep spirituality designed for doing the most good for the most people, especially the students. Prospective leaders can benefit greatly from this work."

Sister Camille Anne Campbell, Secondary School Principal
Mount Carmel Academy, New Orleans, LA

This book addresses all the relevant topics in the area of school leadership. It is a wonderful start for candidates thinking about becoming school principals.

Dr Bruce Watson
Educational Leadership, Indiana University - South Bend
March 28, 2011

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ISBN: 9781452273433

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ISBN: 9781412969062
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