Description
Book SynopsisThe Courage to Grow: Leading with Intentionality shows educational leaders how to design and carry out a leadership professional development plan. It is a guide that allows leaders to construct their own learning to measure knowledge, assess growth, and improve performance. This training manual is for the teacher leader, beginning principal, practicing principal, assistant principal, department chair, district office administrator, aspiring leadership candidate, and professor of principal preparation.
Chapters begin with a section called Learning with Intentionality, as defined as an intense energy or desire to grow exponentially, followed by a personal application of Caring with Intentionality. Chapters 2 7 include a leadership self-assessment utilizing the ISLLC Standards and conclude with growth activities. Depending on their leadership roles, the readers can select activities best suited to grow performance from present realities to ideal conditions for learning. The reader
Trade ReviewThe Courage to Grow is an important resource not only for educational administrators but for policymakers, teacher-leaders, aspiring leaders, and anyone interested in the complex and challenging relationship between leadership actions and organizational impact. Packed with practical tools and self-assessments, this book will encourage new leaders and challenge veteran leaders to improve their strategies. Above all, the book challenges the reader to make specific personal commitments. It is not possible to read this volume passively—you will use it as a daily manual for personal development. -- Douglas B. Reeves, chairman, The Leadership and Learning Center
In The Courage to Grow, Servais and Sanders provide educational leaders from all levels, organizations and roles with an indispensable guide for plotting a personal learning journey according to the ISLLC Standards. Educational leaders who follow the recommendations in this book not only take charge of their professional growth, but steer it toward becoming an extraordinary leader. -- Ellie Allison, founder and president, Renewal Coaching
The authors have hit a home run with this book. I love it. They clearly have put a great deal of thoughtful work and research into this book. The book is well-written and clearly organized. It covers a comprehensive array of topics and offers specific suggestions for identified leaders e.g. the district leader, educational professor and so on. I am going to try several of the activities beginning with the cultural scavenger hunt as school culture is an upcoming topic in my class. I appreciate having suggestions I can implement in my university classes. They have great suggestions for activities. The engaged learner strategies are immediately useful in my classroom. They modeled engaged learning in writing this book as well providing activities. Well done! -- Mary Lynne Derrington, former superintendent; author; and educational leadership professor in the doctoral program at the University of Tennessee
Servais and Sanders have done it again. In an attempt to further narrow the knowing-doing gap, The Courage to Grow is the perfect follow-up to The Courage to Lead. Reading is always an active process, but when these authors put pen to paper the reader better be ready to truly act. Servais and Sanders are establishing themselves as leaders in taking educators through detailed actions for growth. A must read (and act) for any school leader or anyone who has an influence in our schools. -- Donald A. McKinney, superintendent of schools West Harvey-Dixmoor School District 147 in Harvey, IL; adjunct professor, Northern Illinois University
I really like this relevant book! The organization of the chapters with practical ideas is invaluable to the superintendent, district office administrator, school administrator, professor, and future leaders. I plan to use many of the suggested activities that were listed in the Courage to Grow. I know that many of my colleagues will benefit from having this book as a resource. Great content and resources! -- Linell Monson-Laswell, assistant professor at National-Louis University; former assistant superintendent
Table of ContentsAcknowledgments
Introduction: Getting Ready For the Courage to Grow
Chapter One:Leadership Growth: Knowing the Objectives of the Game
Chapter Two:A Leader’s Vision: Making our Dreams a Reality
Chapter Three: A Culture For Leading and Learning: Growing What Really Matters
Chapter Four: Managing and Leading: The Balancing Act to Optimize Learning
Chapter Five:Partnerships: Growing Sustainable Relationships
Chapter Six: Leadership Ethics and Integrity: A Code of Conduct for All
Chapter Seven: The Politics of Leadership: Understanding and Responding to Political Perspectives
Chapter Eight:Training Camp: Professional Development with Intentionality
Chapter Nine:Celebrating with Intentionality
Epilogue
References
Index
About the Authors
