Blundering Leadership

Blundering Leadership: Missteps by School Administrators uses current,real-life examples of poor leadership to demonstrate how even little mistakes can make a big difference in a learning community and create dissension and dissatisfaction, ultimately alienating staff members. In schools where poor leadership skills are exercised, the customary goodwill of staff members quickly evaporates; and lack of trust and respect for the leader stifles the innovative thinking that promotes student achievement. Through the use of genuine misstep examples, we reveal what went wrong in an administrative situation and outline how research findings in the fields of leadership, communication, psychology, and organizational theory, applied correctly, can make a positive difference in the success of a new administrator.

Throughout this book, the reader will examine the ideals of leadership.Reflective questions and opportunities to view both the missteps and good examples of leadership are provided by scenarios and vignettes. Each chapter will focus on leadership approaches that are ineffective and demonstrate effective research- and field-based practices, as discussed in the literature. Readers will gain a better understanding of themselves and their leadership practice and beliefs through opportunities to complete exercises that will assist in identifying leadership dispositions, skills, and attitudes. The reader will grow and move toward positive leadership behaviors that benefit, not only the leader, but staff members as well; because the best leadership intentions prove futile if subordinates are alienated in the process.