5 Essential Skills for Successful School Leaders

Insightfulness, interpersonal skills, and flexibility! Just a few of the essentials skills that Jacobs and Langley teach you how to use in combination to become a more effective school leader. Packed with common sense observations and advice, this book is a great guide for today’s educational leaders. -- John D. Carlevatti, superintendent, Penfield Central Schools, New York
In today’s fast-changing education environment, one needs to remain ready to navigate through any issue that may arise. This book is exactly the guide for every teacher leader and for all those involved in our education system. Especially helpful is its clear and concise strategies, which made a positive difference on my leadership abilities. -- Scott D. Loube, MBA, MHA, MEdLe, teacher leader, Fairfax County Public Schools, Virginia
As Superintendent of public schools, I am honored to support this work. Dr. Mark Jacobs and Nancy Langley have hit the bull’s eye on the leadership target. Their thorough analysis of leadership styles combined with practical insights should be a must read for any professional considering the complex (and often tumultuous) waters of leadership. Their book also offers hope that through better understanding and practical application, improvement to the educational system remains possible. -- John Walker, superintendent, North Rose-Wolcott Central Schools, New York
I wish I would have had this guide to leadership in my comprehensive and challenging career as a K-12 Coordinator of Staff Development and Community Relations. It makes accessible ALL that a leader needs. The book provides the tangible, practical skills and authentic traits essential in leading education forward. It holds examples and advice for every day lived in our schools as well as vision and inspiration for the stamina and optimism needed in the long run. There could neither be a more challenging time for educational leaders nor a better guide to step up and into those challenges. -- Mary Winsky, former Teacher of Excellence, public school change agent, staff developer, teacher and administrative mentor, and graduate professor, Westchester County, New York
Langley and Jacobs’ second edition book on school leadership is full of timely and practical recommendations for dealing with the challenges and opportunities faced by school leaders. The five essential characteristics for successful leaders make this work a must-read for administrators, faculty, parents, and school board members. The book is easy-to-read and practical, relying heavily on case studies of actual issues that impact schools today. It illustrates how leadership plays an important role in achieving successful outcomes. -- W. Gary McGuire, Ed.D., retired provost, School of Continuing Education, North Orange Community College District, Anaheim, California