While exploring educational leadership concepts, a group of superintendents on retreat found "grace" considerably harder to define than "vision" or "legacy." Inspired by a superintendent's courageous response to imminent dismissal and another's handling of clinical depression, the group first conjured up graceless…

Bad bosses use their positions as a personal playing field for games of their own making. Good bosses delegate authority, support their subordinates, enjoy their jobs, and have a healthy sense of humor. Varieties of bad bosses include disagreeable taskmasters, overly ambitious coverup artists, and outright "wackos." Educators can thrive…

To establish good working relationships with their school boards, superintendents should (1) be willing to be vulnerable, (2) be open and accurate, (3) be consistently civil, (4) seek compromise, (5) avoid complacency, and (6) remember that the relationship with each individual board member is unique. (PGD)

A Connecticut principal who has headed 6 schools in 22 years believes that moving around has improved his leadership capabilities. The district's rotation system has kept him professionally fresh and adept at facing the unknown and handling crises. Undaunted by outmoded buildings or violent hallways, this "gypsy" principal feels that…

Workplace gossip has consequences: stealing time, damaging morale, and hurting people. Gossip feeds on truth and falsehood, can become part of "corporate culture," and is inevitable. Administrators should plug information gaps, set a good example, promote a calm atmosphere, anticipate rumors, use informative staff newsletters, and teach…

After managing the nation's largest school system for two years, Chancellor Ray Cortines will be leaving New York City Public Schools on October 15th. Cortines insists his resignation was not spurred by Mayor Rudolph Giuliani's efforts to overhaul the schools, despite skirmishes over budgets, bureaucracy, and staff. Having trimmed the budget,…

Until recently, school executives have been too busy responding to growing school violence to worry about their own safety. Although teachers and students are most common targets, recent murders of three superintendents and an assistant principal show top administrators are vulnerable to misdirected anger and frustration. Administrators should not…

The reversals (including two harrowing racial incidents) confronting Ben Canada on the way to becoming Atlanta's chief educator have strengthened his convictions. Despite numerous achievements, he was bounced from Jackson (Mississippi) Schools over a school-prayer fiasco. In Atlanta, he has dealt with a school closing situation and now faces…

A staff development program for a New Jersey school district involved a day-long visit to a new corporate office complex to acquaint teachers with a modern electronic office and the need to prepare students for the modern workplace. (MLF)

Workplace violence has not bypassed schools. Stories are surfacing about disgruntled school employees threatening, attacking, and sometimes killing administrators. This article shows how school leaders can develop greater awareness of potential problems and design cautionary measures. Contributing factors, warning signs, legal consequences,…

Derailed superintendencies are a colossal waste of talent and resources. Major causes include interpersonal-relationship problems, conflict with district staff, micromanagement, and failure to make strategic decisions during transitional times. Superintendents should establish rapport with principals, build trust throughout the organization, and…

As Houston's fourth school superintendent in 8 years, former board member Rod Paige is weathering his controversial appointment and is ready to work on improving the district's climate and teacher recruitment and selection process. Paige wants to continue the board's recent push toward local school autonomy and to oversee comprehensive curriculum…