Description
Book SynopsisThe call for entrepreneurial leadership in education has never been stronger, but there is little descriptive information about this kind of leadership and even less advice on how a leader might grow in this dimension. Beginning with the constant need for innovation in every learning organization, the author makes a case for an entrepreneurial style of leadership in education. The author paints a multi-faceted picture of entrepreneurial leadership using stories of real leaders in combination with writings from the social sciences, education, natural sciences, business and the arts. The incursion of business practices in education is also addressed head-on. The author defends the historic, democratic tradition of education against 21st century neoliberal trends, while allowing room to learn from best practices in other fields. The role of risk-taking and incentives is examined along with leadership motives. The goal of this book is not just better leaders, but educational organizations
Trade ReviewJack Leonard has written a thoughtful and personal account of his experiences as an entrepreneurial school leader. Leaders who function as creative, independent and courageous thinkers are often misunderstood in school districts structured hierarchically in a risk-adverse culture. Everyone in education involved in the rethinking of how schools and their central office should be organized and led will find Leonard’s ideas around the value that entrepreneurial leaders bring to an organization valuable and forward thinking. -- Michael Contompasis, retired superintendent, Boston Public Schools
30 years ago no one talked about universities and entrepreneurship in the same breath, but today we expect universities to generate new ideas, translational research and patents. This book imports ideas about successful entrepreneurship into the K-12 sector, overturning the conventional assumption that schools cannot be reformed from within. Embedded in educational research as well as evidence from other sectors, it should be required reading for policy makers, principals, and superintendents who are interested in supporting school change. -- Karen Seashore Louis, Regents Professor, University of Minnesota
High school principals face the daunting task of creating rigorous and challenging education programs with dwindling monetary supports from state and local governments. A principal must develop and offer programs and options to his/her students and prepare them for the mercurial changes in today's world. Jack Leonard has provided examples and clear descriptions of the paths that new entrepreneurial principals may take in providing systems and opportunities for their students. The reader is given a full background and an opportunity to see up close what these systems are and look inside at the innovators who have nurtured their development. This book should be on the shelf of every principal who wants to be on the cutting edge of schools in the 21st century. -- Leslie R. Murray, former principal, Amesbury High School, MA
Table of ContentsPreface Introduction Acknowledgments Chapter One: The Case for Entrepreneurial Leadership in Education Entrepreneurial Leaders: Risky but Required Why All the Interest in Innovation? What Does Innovation Mean? What Is Entrepreneurial Leadership? Entrepreneurial Leadership Traits Entrepreneurial Behaviors Why Aren’t There More Entrepreneurial Leaders in Education? The Place for Risk in Public Education Conclusion Chapter Two: Maximizing Entrepreneurial Leadership Defining Economic Entrepreneurism The Social Entrepreneur Entrepreneurial Leadership Versus Other Leadership Theories More Leadership Styles Maximizing Entrepreneurship A Case Study: the Early College Program Conclusion Chapter 3: Entrepreneurial Organizations Leading for Innovation Organizational Characteristics Discretion Professional Learning Communities Proximity Reorganization Incentives The Early College Case Study Reconsidered Conclusion Chapter 4: Leading an Entrepreneurial Organization A Case Study: Dunbar High Innovation in the 1980s Scalability What about the Principal? Cultural Reform Strategy Phase Two at Dunbar Professional Development Conclusion Chapter 5: The Entrepreneurial Teacher Leader What Is Teacher Leadership? An Example of a Teacher Leader A Case Study: Dunbar Again A Different Kind of Teacher Leadership A Historical Look Economic and Social Definitions How Teachers Perceive Teacher Leadership? Strategies for Effective Entrepreneurial Communities of Practice Principals Who Encourage Entrepreneurial Teacher Leadership Parallel Leadership Conclusion Chapter 6: Partnerships for Entrepreneurial Innovation The Power and Promise of Partnerships in Education Caveats and Concerns Two Theories Multiple Partners: Exosystem Work Cultural Cohesion A Bad Example Good Examples Tight Coupling on a Larger Scale Sustainability Boundary Spanners Benefits Conclusion Chapter 7: Entrepreneurial Leadership for Everyone Measurements Entrepreneurial Disruptions Social Effects Political Gains Economics The Creative World Conclusion
