Description
Book SynopsisThe interplay of power, political behavior, and ethics has been the subject of many books and articles about business organizations, but little has been published about using power and political skills in ethical ways to lead whole-system change in school districts. This book does. Readers will learn about the context for change in school districts, including a compendious description of a methodology specially designed to create and sustain whole-system change. Seven essays written by noted theorists and practitioners provide valuable insights on how to use power and political skills in ethical ways. This book will be of interest to change leaders, policy makers, and preparation programs for future school district leaders.
Trade ReviewThe battle to improve the US School System must be fought and won at the district and school level argues Francis Duffy. In this excellent book Duffy and the thought leaders he has assembled argue that local leaders have to lead system wide change and for that ethical, value driven change is needed. This book will provide important insights for those leaders in our school systems who want to make a difference. -- Michael Beer, Cahners-Rabb Professor of Business Administration, Emeritus, Harvard Business School
This book honors the complexity of transforming a school system. It offers many insights on how this can occur and is valuable in viewing change as both personal and systemic. It is a comprehensive and at times profound look at leadership and provides in one place all you need to know about creating institutions that truly fulfill their purpose. -- Peter Block, author of The Answer to How is Yes, Flawless Consulting, and Stewardship
Frank Duffy's latest book promises to be an important contribution to the literature of change leadership in education. -- Tony Wagner, co-director, Change Leadership Group, Harvard University Graduate School of Education
Good leaders must do two things—decide what to do and then get support for whatever changes are required by such decisions. Duffy's latest book helps would-be change leaders on both scores. For those who only tweak the system they lead, in this book they will find a rationale for broader, multiple (systemic) changes that interact together to improve overall system performance. The book also clarifies the complexities of change that require broad support, or 'buy-in,' from members of the organization. -- Gordon Cawelti, senior research associate, Educational Research Service, Arlington, Virginia and former executive director of ASCD
Seven essays by noted theorists and practitioners examine issues such as resistance, teachers' unions, and collaboration with parents and community stakeholders (in whole-system school district changes). The book is of interest to policy makers and future school district leaders. * Reference and Research Book News, May 2006 *
This book is an important contribution on a critical topic; nothing is more important to the success of systemic education reform than strong leadership. -- David Kearns, former chairman and CEO of Xerox Corporation, former U.S. Deputy Secretary of Education
Duffy crafts a dialogue that seems uniquely built around the needs of systemwide leadership and the role superintendents play in leading what he calls ecological systemic change. The text is clearly written and well documented by research and theory from the fields of education and business. * School Administrator *
Table of ContentsChapter 1 Prologue: Dynamic Leadership for Systemic Change in School Districts Chapter 2 Acknowledgments Part 3 The Context for Leader's Guide to Systems Thinking Chapter 4 A Change Leader's Guide to Systems Thinking Chapter 5 Change Leadership for Strategic Change Chapter 6 The Destination of Three Paths: Improved Student, Faculty and Staff, and System Learning Part 7 Power, Political Behavior, and Ethics Chapter 8 Using Power and Political Behavior to Lead Whole-System Transformation Chapter 9 Change Leadership Ethics: A Moral Compas for Navigating Whole-System Transformation Chapter 10 Using Power and Political Skills in Ethical Ways to Manage Resistance to Change Part 11 The Voices of Reason: Essays on Power, Politics, and Ethics Chapter 12 On the Ethical Use of Power and Political Behavior to Lead Systemic Change Chapter 13 Decisions, Dilemmas, and Dangers Chapter 14 Parents, Power, and the Politics of School Reform Chapter 15 Disrupting the Status Quo: A Case for Empowerment Chapter 16 Schools and the "Hidden Curriculum" Chapter 17 The Power of an Idea: New American Schools and Comprehensive School Reform Chapter 18 Lessons in Power Sharing and Leadership Shaping Within the Forums of Campus Governance: A Concerto in C Minor
