The Politically Intelligent Leader: Dealing with the Dilemmas of a High-Stakes Educational Environment

(Hardback, Second Edition)

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Description

Today's educational leaders are often caught in a world of rising expectations and diminishing resources the political pressures are enormous. Those in the business of education often feel ill prepared and apprehensive about their ability to deal with a high-stakes political environment. The Politically Intelligent Leader helps leaders at all levels learn more about themselves and their own political styles. It provides strategies for delivering a personal educational vision, diagnosing others' styles, and customizing strategies to influence those who can help or hinder one's organizational goals as well as providing groundwork for leaders to understand how to operate ethically with all groups elected boards, citizen groups, unions and volunteers during politically volatile times.

Reviews

The Politically Intelligent Leader is a must-read for all school superintendents and executive cabinet members. It is a comprehensive review and analysis of politics in an organization [and] teaches how to build trust and increase your political capital so you can get things done. The book provides real-life examples of political and ethical dilemmas and how to navigate through them. I highly recommend it. -- Vincent J. Christakos, President of the California Association of School Business Officials; and Chief Business Official for Hemet Unified School District
Leadership is about people how to navigate and engage others in reaching organizational goals. The Politically Intelligent Leader is a needed and essential resource for leaders at all levels hoping to positively impact their organization and make a difference in their work. By probing deeper into the political dynamics of leadership, the authors provide ways to examine, both internally and externally, the political decisions made every day in leadership. They offer you, the leader, a plethora of ideas for refining your own leadership and provide tools for assessing your current situation. -- Dr. Deana L. Porterfield, President, Roberts Wesleyan College and Northeastern Seminary
Whether you call it persuading opinion, influencing decisions, managing the narrative, or controlling the outcome, some form and degree of politics exists in virtually every organization and environment. Top leaders must be able to skillfully navigate the political waters that surround them each day. The Politically Intelligent Leader contains a lifetime of navigational lessons learned by seasoned mariners who share their personal insights and experiences in clear, relevant, and readily applicable language. -- Kenneth M. Young, Riverside County Superintendent of Schools
As a city manager [who has served] for thirty years in four different municipalities, I sometimes struggled to survive the political environment that permeated these organizations that I was to 'lead.' This book would have shortened my learning curve in identifying potential pitfalls and in developing strategies and a leadership style to better manage the politically charged environment that enveloped me. The authors provide tremendous insight into the political process that all public sector managers must confront. -- Martin Lomeli, served as a city manager for the cities of La Verne, Irwindale, La Puente, and Upland for over thirty years

Author Bio

Patricia Clark White has been superintendent of three award-winning California school districts, a national and international consultant and presenter, and an executive coach to leaders dealing with political issues. She is currently a professor and associate dean for the School of Education at Brandman University, overseeing the doctoral program in Organizational Leadership. Thomas R. Harvey is a professor of organizational leadership in the doctoral program at the University of La Verne. He has been the dean of the School of Organizational Management and the chairman of the Department of Educational Management for fourteen years and is the author of several books including Checklist for Change; The Practical Decision Maker; Building Teams, Building People; and The Soul of Leadership. Shari L. Fox is currently an executive coach to K-12 site and district level administrators. She is also an adjunct professor and learning group leader at the University of La Verne. She had served as school superintendent prior to retirement and now finds great joy in volunteering in her grandson Payton's classroom where she can observe firsthand the "sandbox politics" that begin at an early age.