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Let's look at how you can develop good skills in each area.

Self-Awareness (Questions 1, 8, 11)

In his 1995 book "Emotional Intelligence: Why it can Matter More Than IQ," Goleman explained that people with high self-awareness are "aware of their moods as they are having them." [2]

To increase self-awareness, learn about mindfulness. This involves focusing on the present moment - including how you're feeling. And keep a journal in which you write about and analyze the emotional situations you experience from day to day.

Self-Regulation (Questions 2, 4, 7)

Motivation (Questions 6, 10, 12)

Self-motivation is strongly affected by your emotions. When you're distracted by your emotions, you may find it hard to see tasks through.

Boost your motivation levels by developing self-discipline, and by looking for and celebrating small wins - simple jobs that, when you've completed them, give you a sense of achievement.

Empathy (Questions 3, 13, 15)

Empathy is the ability to recognize other people's emotions and understand their perspectives. Goleman calls this aspect of EI "the fundamental people skill."

Social Skills (Questions 5, 9, 14)

Even if you're not a natural "people person," it is possible to develop better social skills.

Start by taking our quiz to see which communication skills you need to improve on. Then, find out how you can develop trust and rapport with people - this is an essential part of building good working relationships.

Five Ways to Show Emotional Intelligence Infographic

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How Emotionally Intelligent Are You? - Boosting Your People Skills

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Take this quiz to find out how strong you are in five areas of emotional intelligence, and learn what you can do to boost it.

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6 Questions to Ask to Help You Identify Your Leadership Style

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6 Questions to Ask to Help You Identify Your Leadership Style

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No matter where we are on our career path, we will all have to wrestle with leadership roles at some point. Whether it's taking charge on a small project or heading an entire department, eventually we will be in the position of rallying a group of people to find a solution to a problem.

Of course, while there are some right and wrong ways to lead, there is no single style that suits everyone. There are many different ways to lead a group, and you should find the leadership style that best fits you and the goals you are trying to achieve.

If you're an entrepreneur looking to harness your leadership abilities, here are six ways to figure out what type of leader you are:
1. Know Your Personality Traits
The only way you can truly understand the type of leader you are is to assess your personality. Examine the dominant characteristics of your personality, and pay attention to how they emerge in a work, friendship or family environment.

Think about the attributes colleagues and friends most often ascribe to you. Assessing the nature of your character in these settings is crucial to understanding how you will lead a team. This is because our behavioral traits always play a part in how we make our decisions, interact with others and handle stress.

Take some time to ask yourself what typically drives your choices. Think about how often factors such as determination, impulsiveness and patience shape how you act and find resolutions. Answering these questions will give you a better understanding of your leadership thought process and habits.
2. Know Your Values
Values are yardsticks of behavior. They are traits upon which reputations are built. People use values to gauge personalities, understand how a person thinks and even evaluate the ways in which they are being perceived and treated.

Values help us to determine the people we can rely on, how a person might react to a situation and who we want to shoulder our future. When employees cannot identify the core values of their leader, they're not only more likely to feel suspicious of the leader's abilities; they're also likely to mistrust that person's direction and agenda.

Respect, impact, authenticity, courage and integrity are all examples of core values that affect how you will consciously and subconsciously lead your team. Consider the values that typically inform your behaviors. By focusing on what you believe and value, you can positively build on your comprehension of your leadership qualities and abilities.
3. Identify Your Weaknesses
Leading by your strengths isn't always as effective as you might think. To be a truly great leader, you have to be able to understand your weaknesses and learn how they will affect your leadership role. Once you identify them you can use that knowledge to improve your leadership style.

Not only will this help you to strengthen your weaknesses; it will also assist in getting your team to recognize your competence and authenticity. Being transparent about the flaws you hope to overcome can help inspire your team to improve themselves as well.
4. Ask For Feedback
You can take as many leadership personality quizzes as you want, but you will never gain a full understanding of the type of leader you are without feedback from those you lead. Getting your colleagues' opinions of your leadership style will give you valuable insight into behaviors you might have never picked up on otherwise.

Whether you collect these perspectives from a survey box at the office or meet with your co-workers face to face, asking your team to give you feedback about your leadership skills will give you a better comprehension of your personality traits, strengths, weaknesses and perceived values.

Additionally, building a culture of feedback among your colleagues can help you improve how you address and interact with your team. The best way to steer your company is with the full knowledge of how you can better meet the needs of those around you.
5. Assess Your Ability To Delegate
Sometimes it's hard to let go. This is especially true for leaders who've cradled a business from the beginning. Nevertheless, a strong indicator of leadership lies in a person's ability to entrust others with complex details.

As you try to figure out what type of leader you are and formulate a way to improve your leadership style, consider the tasks you could authorize to others. Areas that are outside of your wheelhouse, such as social media management, web design, SEO and PR, are jobs that might be better suited for other members of your team. Not only will leaving these jobs to others help you to focus your efforts; it will also help you to establish a sense of trust among your team.
6. Observe Your Leaders
Most people's personalities are shaped by those who hold an influence over them. Initially, these people are our parents and teachers; eventually, they are leaders like our bosses and managers. Whether we realize it or not, the traits of these influencers impact how we make decisions, behave under pressure and address problems.

As you try to figure out what type of leader you are, take some time to think about the leaders in your life whose qualities are most like your own. While analyzing the skill packages of the leaders you have worked with, pinpoint what traits of theirs have affected your role as a leader.

Gaining a sense of how you have applied these assets to your approach as a leader will help you to understand the ways in which you currently affect your company's culture.

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6 Ways To Figure Out What Type Of Leader You Are

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No matter where we are on our career path, we will all have to wrestle with leadership roles at some point. Whether it's taking charge on a small project or heading an entire department, eventually we will be in the position of rallying a group of people to find a solution to a problem.

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University of Southern California Leadership Style Quiz (Free)

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University of Southern California Leadership Style Quiz (Free)

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MY RESULTS:
Postmodern Leader

You understand that leadership is both an art and a science. More than most, you recognize the joy available in the role of a leader. The pleasure of leadership is realized through the transformation of society and the realization of human potential. Leadership is an action that brings you greater self-awareness. Your keen awareness helps others see their own life in a new light. You help others realize the empowerment that comes from creating the future with others.

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The EML program is no longer accepting applications and will be closed effective Fall 2023. Currently, enrolled students are expected to complete the

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MY RESULTS:
Communicating Vision
According to your answers, you are able to envision a clear direction for your company and communicate your plans in a way that excites others. You seem to have the level of charisma needed to convince people that your ideas are worthwhile. This is an essential skill, because employees will be much more willing to achieve a goal if they are passionate about it. People who excel in this area are innovative visionaries who are confident in their ability to persuade and convince others. They consider it essential to make those they lead aware of, as well as part of, their vision.

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Got transformational or transactional leader qualities? Test your leadership skills & leadership style with Leadership Style Test, a great tool for leadership training & leadership skills development.

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MY TOP 5 STRENGTHS:
1. Futuristic
2. Relator
3. Strategic
4. Input
5. Responsibility

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Learn how the CliftonStrengths assessment -- formerly StrengthsFinder -- empowers organizations, managers and millions of people to succeed.

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Covers the following:
- Great Man
- Trait
- Contingency
- Situational
- Behavioral
- Participative
- Management
- Relational

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What is it that makes some people excel in leadership roles? Leadership theories seek to explain how and why certain people become leaders. Such theories often focus on the characteristics of leaders, but some attempt to identify the behaviors that people can adopt to improve their own leadership abilities in different situations.

Early debates on the psychology of leadership often suggested that such skills were simply abilities that people were born with. In other words, these theories proposed that certain people were simply "born leaders." Some more recent theories propose that possessing certain traits may help make people nature leaders, but that experience and situational variables also play a critical role.

A Closer Look at Leadership Theories

As interest in the psychology of leadership has increased over the last 100 years, a number of different leadership theories have been introduced to explain exactly how and why certain people become great leaders.

What exactly makes a great leader? Do certain personality traits make people better suited to leadership roles, or do characteristics of the situation make it more likely that certain people will take charge? When we look at the leaders around us-be it our employer or the President-we might find ourselves wondering exactly why these individuals excel in such positions.

People have long been interested in leadership throughout human history, but it has only been relatively recently that a number of formal leadership theories have emerged. Interest in leadership increased during the early part of the twentieth century.

Early leadership theories focused on what qualities distinguished between leaders and followers, while subsequent theories looked at other variables such as situational factors and skill levels. While many different leadership theories have emerged, most can be classified as one of eight major types.

"Great Man" Theories

Have you ever heard someone described as "born to lead?" According to this point of view, great leaders are simply born with the necessary internal characteristics such as charisma, confidence, intelligence, and social skills that make them natural-born leaders.

Great man theories assume that the capacity for leadership is inherent-that great leaders are born, not made. These theories often portray great leaders as heroic, mythic, and destined to rise to leadership when needed. The term "Great Man" was used because, at the time, leadership was thought of primarily as a male quality, especially in terms of military leadership.

Such theories suggest that people cannot really learn how to become strong leaders. It's either something you are born with or born without. It is very much a nature ( as opposed to nurture) approach to explaining leadership.

Trait Theories

Similar in some ways to Great Man theories, trait theories assume that people inherit certain qualities and traits that make them better suited to leadership. Trait theories often identify a particular personality or behavioral characteristics shared by leaders. For example, traits like extroversion, self-confidence, and courage are all traits that could potentially be linked to great leaders.

If particular traits are key features of leadership, then how do we explain people who possess those qualities but are not leaders? This question is one of the difficulties in using trait theories to explain leadership.

There are plenty of people who possess the personality traits associated with leadership, yet many of these people never seek out positions of leadership. There are also people who lack some of the key traits often associated with effective leadership yet still excel at leading groups.﻿﻿

Contingency Theories

Contingency theories of leadership focus on particular variables related to the environment that might determine which particular style of leadership is best suited for the situation. According to this theory, no leadership style is best in all situations.

Leadership researchers White and Hodgson suggest that truly effective leadership is not just about the qualities of the leader, it is about striking the right balance between behaviors, needs, and context.﻿﻿

Good leaders are able to assess the needs of their followers, take stock of the situation, and then adjust their behaviors accordingly. Success depends on a number of variables including the leadership style, qualities of the followers, and aspects of the situation.

Situational Theories

Situational theories propose that leaders choose the best course of action based upon situational variables. Different styles of leadership may be more appropriate for certain types of decision-making.

For example, in a situation where the leader is the most knowledgeable and experienced member of a group, an authoritarian style might be most appropriate. In other instances where group members are skilled experts, a democratic style would be more effective.

Behavioral Theories

Behavioral theories of leadership are based upon the belief that great leaders are made, not born. Consider it the flip-side of the Great Man theories. Rooted in behaviorism, this leadership theory focuses on the actions of leaders, not on mental qualities or internal states. According to this theory, people can learn to become leaders through teaching and observation.

Participative Theories

Participative leadership theories suggest that the ideal leadership style is one that takes the input of others into account. These leaders encourage participation and contributions from group members and help group members feel more relevant and committed to the decision-making process. In participative theories, however, the leader retains the right to allow the input of others.

Management Theories

Management theories, also known as transactional theories, focus on the role of supervision, organization, and group performance. These theories base leadership on a system of rewards and punishments. Managerial theories are often used in business; when employees are successful, they are rewarded and when they fail, they are reprimanded or punished.

Relationship Theories

Relationship theories, also known as transformational theories, focus upon the connections formed between leaders and followers. Transformational leaders motivate and inspire people by helping group members see the importance and higher good of the task.

These leaders are focused on the performance of group members, but also want every person to fulfill their potential. Leaders with this style often have high ethical and moral standards.﻿﻿

A Word From Verywell

There are many different ways of thinking about leadership, ranging from focusing on the personality traits of great leadership to emphasizing aspects of the situation that help determine how people lead.

Like most things, leadership is a highly multi-faceted subject and it is a mixture of many factors that help determine why some people become great leaders. Learn more about some of the things that make people strong leaders is one way of potentially improving your own skills.

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Why Do Some People Become Great Leaders?

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What is it that makes some people excel in leadership roles? Leadership theories seek to explain how and why certain people become leaders. Such theories often focus on the characteristics of leaders, but some attempt to identify the behaviors that people can adopt to improve their own leadership abilities in different situations.

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https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/transformational-leadership.htm

https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-transformational-leadership-2795313

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https://www.ckju.net/en/dossier/power-authentic-leadership-how-legitimacy-ethics-and-positive-psychology-drive-organizational-performance

https://sites.psu.edu/leadership/2017/04/09/15415/

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https://www.greenleaf.org/what-is-servant-leadership/

https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/servant-leadership.htm

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Education Week Recommended Leadership Books

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Education Week Recommended Leadership Books

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Every so often I love when I get into a space of learning where I can sit down, read a book, and take multiple notes because the book inspires me to read, reflect, and write. Sometimes it's due to writing a new book or blog, so it's a part of the research that I'm doing. Other times it may be that I want to give a presentation a makeover, and I'm looking for fresh perspectives to cite during a workshop or keynote.

Recently, I have become acquainted with some books that have not been out for long, and reacquainted with a few that I have read several times before. To be honest, I started this list with six books and then it quickly doubled. The books in the list are meant for anyone in a leadership position who is looking to put a focus on learning, build on collective ideas within their school, or are new to leadership and they're worried or insecure about their decisions.

Why These Books?
Books are meant to teach us, inspire us, and sometimes bring us together as a group because they challenge our thinking and we have to find commonalities together. The authors in the list do just that, and I believe if readers want to try something new in their position, they could find fresh ideas in one of these books, even though some of them are several years old.

This is a list of books that I believe would be helpful for any school leader or someone in a leadership position. If you have a book that you believe would be equally as helpful, please feel free to add it to the comment section. I believe we should all be able to share our opinions about books. Especially those books that will help us in our position.
The twelve I've been diving into lately are:
Leading Collaborative Learning (Corwin Press) by Lyn Sharratt and Beate Planche. Collaboration is a word we hear so much about in leadership circles, but so often it's much more complicated than just bringing people together. Systems experts Sharratt and Planche offer a strategic path for leaders and teachers to follow which will help them improve student learning.

Coherence: The Right Drivers in Action for Schools, Districts, and Systems (Corwin Press) by Michael Fullan and Joanne Quinn. Fullan and Quinn have laid a foundational leadership book. So often, leaders get sidetracked by opportunites that may not provide them with the best impact. Fullan and Quinn provide leaders with a road map that will help leaders decide what might be the best course of action for their schools. I have long admired Fullan, and he has been one of my favorite leadership experts since before I was a leader. Although he is the author or co-author of many, many books, he delivers powerful leadership resources for leaders over and over again. Coherence is a book not to be missed.

(Corwin Press) by Julie Stern with Natalie Lauriault and Kristin Ferraro. Like Visible Learning and the Science Of How We Learn, this is a book that has inspired me to take copious notes. I sat in the barstool at the island in my kitchen and wrote note after note. The authors have helped refresh my memory around surface, deep, and transfer learning, and inspired new thinking on my part when it comes to both student and adult learners. If you care about student learning, or want to be inspired to think of new ways to offer professional learning to adults, this is the book for you. I know I will be referencing it for many, many years.

Hacking Leadership (Times 10 Publications) by Joe Sanfelippo and Tony Sinanis. This is part of a larger series of Hacking books, and it's written by two people I respect very much. Not only are Sinanis and Sanfelippo practioners but they are two of the most energized guys in educational leadership that I have met. This book is filled with practical suggestions that are proven to give school districts the positive shot in the arm that they need.

The Superintendent's Rule Book: A Guide to District Level Leadership (Routledge) by Patrick Sweeney. Books just for Superintendents seem to be few and far between, and this is a new book by a new author. I reviewed the book before it came out, and Sweeney has a good way to approach difficult subjects by using humor and his extensive knowledge as a superintendent. For full disclosure, Sweeney was my high school X-country coach and one of my first mentors, but that's not why the book made the list. The book made the list because Sweeney took those impactful mentorship qualities and put them in a book.

Digital Leadership: Changing Paradigms for Changing Times (Corwin Press) by Eric Sheninger. Sheninger is my technology guru, and has been for a long time. So often schools buy devices but do not implement them well, and this book focuses on how to do a better job of that. I'm excited because Eric has written a 2nd edition for this book which will come out in the next few months.

Student Centered Leadership (Wiley) by Viviane Robinson. Leaders looking for a practical guide to helping have an impact on student learning will love this book. Robinson is out of the University of Auckland and I been a fan for years. This book has a great mix of practical suggestions based in research.

In the End
There are many times I pick up books and put them back down rather quickly. Perhaps it's due to the topic or the timing of when I pick them up, but I do not always feel engaged when I'm reading. I need something that will pull at me from a moral standpoint or inspire me to think at a deeper level. For me, the best sign that I am reading a book is when I wake up in the morning thinking about it. These twelve books have done that for me lately.

If you are thinking about what book you should read next, consider picking up one of the books from my list. If you have been deeply inspired by a book lately, consider adding the book in the comment section. And not that popular books don't need to be highlighted, but consider adding a book you read that is not making all of the rounds on social media. Thanks for reading about my list.
Peter DeWitt, Ed.D., is the author of several books including Photo courtesy of Shutterstock. (Corwin Press. 2018). .

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12 Books You Need on Your Leadership Bookshelf (Opinion)

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Every so often I love when I get into a space of learning where I can sit down, read a book, and take multiple notes because the book inspires me to read, reflect, and write. Sometimes it's due to writing a new book or blog, so it's a part of the research that I'm doing.

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We Are Teachers Recommended Leadership Books

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We Are Teachers Recommended Leadership Books

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Being a school leader means constantly being in improvement mode. It also means having an ever-running loop of new ideas about how to make your school the best it can be for your students, staff, and community. And though there is a seemingly endless supply of valuable advice, time is precious, and you can't read every leadership book on the market. That's why we put together this list of thought-provoking school leadership books.
Just a heads up, WeAreTeachers may collect a share of sales from the links on this page. We only recommend items our team loves!
Start strong.
The Making of a Manager: What to Do When Everyone Looks to You by Julie Zhuo
In a personal, approachable style, Julie Zhuo, a VP of design at Facebook, writes, "Your job, as a manager, is to get better outcomes from a group of people working together." This is an essential read for anyone just starting out as an administrator.

Lead boldly.
Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts by Brené Brown
Brené Brown is the leadership guru that we've been waiting for. With her approachable style and her honest storytelling, Brown has the unique ability to inspire with the truth. In Dare to Lead, she lays out four skill sets that are, in her words, "100 percent teachable, observable, and measurable."

Seek balance.
The Principal's Survival Guide: Where Do I Start? How Do I Succeed? When Do I Sleep? by Susan Stone Kessler, April Snodgrass and Andrew Davis
Most school leadership books focus on how to juggle the many aspects of the job from a performance perspective. This one has a refreshing focus on not only meeting the needs of your students and teachers, but doing so in a way that ensures you also take care of yourself. A great for newbies and veterans alike.

Challenge conventional thinking.
Relentless: Changing Lives by Disrupting the Educational Norm by Hamish Brewer
Brewer, a National Distinguished Principal®, is on a mission of "total passion and purpose." His no-holds-barred approach to placing love at the center of the practice will empower children to overcome adversity and create a better future for themselves.

Fine-tune your vision.
Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap and Others Don't by Jim Collins
As an administrator, it's common to lose your way at times. Collins' classic book can help an administrator get to the heart of what's important. Best of all, he addresses how to get even your grumpiest faculty member on board.

Be a better coach.
The Coaching Habit: Say Less, Ask More and Change the Way You Lead Forever by Michael Bungay Stanier
This book provides a fascinating framework for helping your colleagues reach their full potential. Rather than doling out advice and suggestions, Stanier's method is to ask simple yet strategic questions which can have transformational results. The questions that Stainer has designed clearly communicate and prompt the people you are trying to support, even in moments when communication is difficult.

Master the art of giving essential feedback.
Radical Candor: Be a Kick-Ass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity by Kim Scott
If you are an introvert and a naturally empathetic person, total candor can be a challenge. However, if you have found yourself struggling to deliver important feedback to members of your team, this book has exactly what you need. This former Google manager lays out real solutions for communicating essential feedback with positivity.

Think about your staff in a new way.
Move Your Bus: An Extraordinary New Approach to Accelerating Success in Work and Life by Ron Clark
For fans of Ron Clark's hard-nosed, no-nonsense approach to school leadership, Move Your Bus identifies the many types of workers that make up any organization. From drivers and runners to joggers, walkers, and riders, it's the school leader's job to recognize where their team members fall and encourage them to keep the "bus" moving by working together.

Manage change more smoothly.
Swimming in the Deep End: Four Foundational Skills for Leading Successful School Initiatives by Jennifer Abrams
Change is difficult for everyone, especially in education, where it seems like something new is coming down the pike at every turn. Enact strategic change in your school by following Abrams' four basic principles: think before speaking, preempt resistance, respond to resistance, and manage oneself through change and resistance.

Run better meetings.
Making Every Meeting Matter by the Harvard Business Review
Who among us can say that every single meeting they've run has been an amazing and efficient use of time? How many of us can say we've walked away from every meeting inspired and with a clear directive? I can do better, and so can you. Reading this book is the first step toward making meetings productive. Now let's design better faculty meetings!

Rally your crew.
Leaders Eat Last: Why Some Teams Pull Together and Others Don't by Simon Sinek
Thought leader Simon Sinek's hypothesis in Leaders Eat Last is a simple one: Behind every great team is an awesome leader. Here's what an awesome leader does: They protect their team, and they help teams manage internal threats that could keep them from performing their best. Your job as leader, Sinek suggests, is to keep your team healthy and whole. If you want to make your team stronger and more nimble, this book should be at the top of your list.

Learn to speak your staff's language.
The Five Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace: Empowering Organizations by Encouraging People by Gary Chapman and Paul White
Have you ever wondered how some colleagues get very excited about donuts in the breakroom, while others complain about them? How can it be that some people love icebreakers, while others roll their eyes? This excellent book will help you meet more needs and differentiate your approach to team building.

Build a stronger team.
The New One Minute Manager by Ken Blanchard And Spencer Johnson
An easy read that breaks down three of the most practical tent poles of good leadership-setting goals, praising your team, and redirecting when things go awry. You'll develop ways to do so quickly, concisely, and of course, effectively!

Discover what motivates your people.
Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us by Daniel H. Pink
If you can't motivate, you can't lead-and this book is packed with the secrets of motivation. Hint? Rewards and punishment actually don't bring out the best in others!

Improve your communication.
Everyone Communicates, Few Connect: What the Most Effective People Do Differently by John C. Maxwell
"Connecting is everything when it comes to communication," counsels John Maxwell. This book, told in an engaging anecdotal style, pins down the principles and practices that will help you connect with your staff as a school leader.

Pare down your tasks.
Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown
The idea is if you can discipline yourself to take on only the tasks that are absolutely essential-your level of productivity will soar, opening up more time and energy in your life to focus on the things that really matter-and really make you happy.

Play to your strengths.
Outliers: The Story of Success by Malcolm Gladwell
The big question asked in this book is: What makes high achievers different? The answers may surprise you, as Gladwell looks at success from an unconventional perspective-including what made the Beatles the greatest rock band.

Boost your confidence.
The Confidence Code: The Science and Art of Self-Assurance-What Women Should Know by Katty Kay and Claire Shipman
A 2018 Pew study polled over 4,000 Americans to explore what personal characteristics we value in people. Would you be surprised to know that strength and ambition were more highly valued in men, while compassion and responsibility were more valued in women? The Confidence Code addresses this disconnect head on. With a truthful analysis of how gender dynamics can play out in the workplace, this book is a must-read for women interested in strengthening their self-confidence.

Change how you start your day.
The Miracle Morning: The Not-So-Obvious Secret Guaranteed to Transform Your Life (Before 8 AM) by Hal Elrod
Change your morning routine, change your life is the message of this best seller. You'll learn how to wake up each day with more energy, motivation, and focus so you can take your personal and professional life to the next level.

Write your way into leadership.
The Artist's Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity by Julia Cameron
Creative thinkers have been following Cameron's 12-week program for years, crediting it for the ability to finish novels, write songs, or reignite a passion for the arts. So, what can you learn here about leadership? Well, if you're feeling creatively fulfilled, it becomes contagious to those around you.

Listen to your heart.
The Alchemist: A Fable About Following Your Dream by Paulo Coelho
This classic fable about a traveling shepherd boy who meets several spiritual messengers on his quest for treasure may not seem like a leadership guide. But this boy's encounters are great lessons about listening to your heart and following your dreams-two qualities every great leader adheres to.

Reframe your thinking.
Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill
This book is about reframing your mental outlook to create affluence. But at the core, it's about changing your mindset to achieve anything you desire. And it's a nice reminder that positivity is the best motivator in the workplace!

Create a leadership plan.
True North: Discover Your Authentic Leadership by Bill George
True North teaches you how to create your own Personal Leadership Development Plan. It's centered on knowing your authentic self, defining your values and leadership principles, understanding your motivations, building your support team, and staying grounded by integrating all aspects of your life.

Master your core principles.
The Truth About Leadership by James M. Kouzes and Barry Z. Posner
Trust, credibility, and ethics are the core principles discussed in this book. The authors say these are crucial for every good leader who wants to succeed!

See what other leaders have done.
Winners by Alastair Campbell
From Michael Phelps to Barack Obama, this collection features real, raw, and in-depth interviews with some of the most successful people on the planet. They don't hold back about their drive and how they achieved goals beyond their wildest dreams.
What are your favorite books on leadership? Share with us in our Principal Life Facebook group. Plus, leadership videos you don't want to miss.

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Read These School Leadership Books to Level Up

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Being a school leader means constantly being in improvement mode. It also means having an ever-running loop of new ideas about how to make your school the best it can be for your students, staff, and community. And though there is a seemingly endless supply of valuable advice, time is precious, and you can't read every leadership book on the market.

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Do Good Well: Book Overview and Purchase Links

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Do Good Well: Book Overview and Purchase Links

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Do Good Well book. Read 5 reviews from the world's largest community for readers. Written with a fresh voice and a dash of humor, Do Good Well is an exci...

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Key Leadership Traits for School Counselors

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Key Leadership Traits for School Counselors

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Far from simply setting up student schedules and administering placement and academic evaluation tests, school counselors are leaders who can have a huge impact on the acceleration and the enhancement of learning. They must possess the ability to negotiate, persuade others their ideas are worthwhile, and collaborate with principals and other school officials.

School counselors have many responsibilities, including counseling students, working with teachers and parents, referring students to outside agencies, participating in student welfare and learning support communities, and evaluating and improving their own school counseling program.

Listening

First and foremost, a school counselor needs to be a good listener. Often, they have several students they work with and may get very few chances to converse with them in a one on one setting. "The most basic of all human needs is the need to understand and be understood," said Ralph G. Nichols. "The best way to understand people is to listen to them."

To listen effectively, counselors must be fully in the moment, not thinking of their "to do" list but rather giving their full attention to the issue at hand. Reflecting back to the person, your perception of what they said helps show understanding, and lets them make corrections. The counselor must also keep an open mind, being careful not to make any judgments until they have heard the entire story. ¹

Being Empathetic

Often a part of listening, putting themselves in the shoes of the person speaking, whether that is a student or another school official, helps counselors truly understand the underlying issues.

"Without the ability to understand what the student is experiencing, a counselor cannot truly do an effective job," says Helen A. Hatridge, past president of the Missouri School Counselor Association. "Empathy leads to good listening and a better ability to help the client come up with solutions. It also helps the student feel more comfortable and willing to open up to a counselor." ²

To be more empathetic, it is essential for a counselor to put aside their viewpoint. At the same time, they need to validate the student's viewpoint, which does not always mean agreement. Instead it means acknowledging their right to have an opinion, and that they have valid reasons for it. Asking how that person thinks a situation should be handled or what they would do opens up an even deeper understanding. ³

Building Relationship

It takes time for a counselor to build a relationship with any student or even their peers. However, through listening and being empathetic, that process can be accelerated.

To feel free to talk to a counselor, a student must often "break the ice," and needs to feel trust, comfort, and acceptance. Students need to accept that the counselor is a professional caregiver, and someone they can turn to without fear of judgement.

A counselor who develops this trusting relationship with students can get a lot more done, An understanding of the kid culture and what they care about can go a long way toward providing that environment of trust and understanding.

Performing Assessments

Assessment skills are essential for any school counselor in a number of areas. From academic and skills assessment to personality testing and career advisement, the ability to discern the intersection of talent and desire is essential to offering good counsel.

Assessment also includes determining if a student has special needs and interpreting test and non-test data to decide where the student should be placed, and what programs will most benefit them.

Regardless of the reason for assessment, the steps often include, but are not limited to the following:

Choosing what tests should be administered and when.

Scheduling, preparing, and administering tests.

Scoring tests or sending them out to be scored.

Advising students, teachers, parents, and other staff on test score interpretation.

Evaluating the testing process, results, and subsequent recommendations.⁴

Assessments involve some testing but must also be combined with listening, empathy, and the relationship that has been built to determine how testing outcomes relate to personality, desires, and the goals of the student.

Coordinating Efforts and Activities

Efforts and activities can fall into a couple of different categories. A counselor will have to coordinate Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) for students, and other student specific plans as well. Along with coordinating individual student plans and interacting with teachers and other school officials, the school counselor often coordinates other activities and projects as well.

In many cases, the school counselor is in charge of parent newsletters, school announcements, managing social media accounts, and other community outreach and event planning efforts.

The ability to coordinate and manage these efforts and activities requires strong leadership and organizational skills. Teaching these skills to students by allowing them to take responsibility for their own educational goals and other efforts enables a counselor to show leadership by example.

Exercising Authority

In order to be able to implement programs, direct student activities and coordinate tasks, a counselor must exercise a certain amount of authority.

This means first of all that the counselor must be granted the authority to handle certain tasks by other school officials such as principals and administrators. The more their authority is validated by their actions, the more the counselor will be perceived as a leader by parents and students alike.

Secondly, the school counselor must be willing to wield the authority they have been granted, taking charge of tasks and situations, setting expectations, and holding those responsible to deadlines.

The counselor must also know in any given situation when to cross the line from friend to professional. If a student is being abusive or abused, a more professional response is ethically and legally mandated. It is the counselor's obligation to take charge and follow through, ensuring that student safety comes first.

Being Flexible

If one thing is certain in the field of education, it is that things will change. Interruptions, schedule changes, new programs, and new responsibilities all interrupt a counselor's daily routine.

Student needs and the needs of the school overall often take priority over scheduled meetings. Parent phone calls, staff concerns, talks in classrooms, and unexpected counseling needs can all be disruptive.

A successful counselor should:

Leave gaps in their day for unscheduled needs.

Use good time management techniques.

Set reasonable boundaries. Know what is worthy of an interruption, and what can wait.

Communicate clearly. Inform students, parents, and faculty of schedules and boundaries.

By remaining flexible, a counselor can better manage the stress inherent in the job and be more responsive when needs arise unexpectedly.

Having a Sense of Humor

Being able to see things from the side of humor has a number of advantages. It lets students see that the counselor is human and can not only laugh at situations but laugh at themselves as well.

This is frequently one of the biggest assets in building student trust and developing a relationship with them. It is often how those students relate to adults, whether through jokes or humorous anecdotes that illustrate a point the counselor is trying to get across.

Humor is also a stress reliever. Being able to see the humorous side of interruptions and other daily situations allows a counselor to relax and keep anxiety from taking over many scenarios.

It takes a combination of many leadership traits to make a school counselor effective. They must use listening skills and offer empathy in order to build relationships. A counselor must also perform assessments and coordinate activities and educational efforts. These duties mean they must remain flexible and exercise authority when appropriate.

Not one of these traits alone is enough, and no one is equally adept in all of them. They are taught and can be learned in a Master of Arts in Counseling with an emphasis in school counseling like the one offered by Wake Forest University. This graduate degree will prepare you for a career as a school counselor in almost any setting.
Sources: 1 2 3 ⁴ American Counseling Association, Assessment Skills for School Counselors Mind Tools, Empathy at Work Education World, School Counselors Reflective On What Makes Them Effective Fast Company, 5 Ways To Improve Your Listening Skills

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Leadership Traits Every Counselor Should Have

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Far from simply setting up student schedules and administering placement and academic evaluation tests, school counselors are leaders who can have a huge impact on the acceleration and the enhancement of learning. They must possess the ability to negotiate, persuade others their ideas are worthwhile, and collaborate with principals and other school officials.

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11 Ways School Counselors Serve as Leaders

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11 Ways School Counselors Serve as Leaders

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School counselors are uniquely equipped to bridge the gaps between administration, teachers, parents, and students. As the demands placed on everyone in a school community increase, it's vital that we view and include school counselors as part of our leadership teams. Let's make sure we recognize all they do and put their strengths to work for our students! Here are 11 ways school counselors serve as leaders in your building.

1. School counselors recognize and showcase diversity.

In many buildings, school counselors are considered the "heart" of the school. They help create an inclusive environment that is respectful, welcoming, kind, and open to all.

2. School counselors develop community partnerships.

Counseling staff work collaboratively with universities, community colleges, technical schools, local unions, military reps, and apprentice programs to provide a variety of opportunities for students. They are especially vital in ensuring underserved and first-generation students have access to and the tools to reach all possible post-high school options.

3. School counselors help during difficult situations.

Strengths such as listening, reflecting, and high emotional intelligence make school counselors valuable allies when trying to get buy-in from staff or the greater community on difficult issues. Counselors foster a culture of change via strong lines of communication and valuing input from all parties involved.

4. School counselors maintain strong home-school connections.

Counselors tend to be the liaison for parents when it comes to communicating with the school. This leadership role is especially important when assisting families who are not familiar with the school setting or have issues trusting staff.

5. School counselors maximize educational success.

School counselors can help to maximize the educational attainment of all students by providing students with mental health services (school or community-based) and developmental guidance that takes a proactive approach in helping students set and reach academic goals.

6. School counselors lead staff trainings.

Administrators who use their counseling staff (rather than outside contractors) to lead building-wide trainings can save a lot of money and gain quicker buy-in from staff. School counselors are experts on topics such as student engagement, positive discipline, suicide/self-harm, students-as-leaders, peer mentoring programs, and academic/social interventions for low-performing students.

7. School counselors protect and advocate for disadvantaged students.

Counselors identify and amend policies and practices that negatively impact disadvantaged students and advocate for equitable services for all students.

8. School counselors use expertise to bring data to life.

Like administrators, counselors are trained in data collection and analysis. They are skilled at using this information to drive decisions about placement, intervention, and overall student health and wellbeing.

9. School counselors mediate difficult situations between parents/students and staff.

Counselors are consistently looking for ways to support the relationship between school staff and parents. Acting as a mediator when one or both parties are upset about a situation is a critical way in which school counselors serve as leaders.

10. School counselors organize and lead crisis response.

Counselors are on the front lines after a tragedy has happened in a school or community. Staff, students, parents, and community members look to the counselors for guidance and support immediately following an event. Because of their training in emotional/mental, the counseling staff is critical in advocating for and teaching self-care to staff, parents, and students during a crisis.

11. School counselors empower and inspire.

School counselors inherently believe in people and work tirelessly to communicate that. By being visible and accessible at all times, their calming, caring, and encouraging presence helps support and empower staff in the building.

School counselors serve as leaders in many ways and we need to value their perspectives and strengths. They are vital to building positive learning environments in which students thrive.
Join our Facebook group Principal Life for more conversation about and insights into the challenges of school leadership.

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11 Ways Your School Counselors Serve as Leaders - WeAreTeachers

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School counselors are uniquely equipped to bridge the gaps between administration, teachers, parents, and students. As the demands placed on everyone in a school community increase, it's vital that we view and include school counselors as part of our leadership teams. Let's make sure we recognize all they do and put their strengths to work for our students!

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Georgia State University Article: Leadership Practices of School Counselors 

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Georgia State University Article: Leadership Practices of School Counselors 

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By Erina Mason and H. George McMahon

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ASCA School Counselor Article: From Doer to Leader

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ASCA School Counselor Article: From Doer to Leader

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By Anita Young

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BEING A DOER ISN'T ENOUGH FOR SCHOOL COUNSELORS. STUDENT NEEDS DEMAND SCHOOL COUNSELORS MOVE BEYOND REACTING TO LEADING. Are school counselors doers or

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American School Counselor Association Annual Conference Info Page

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American School Counselor Association Annual Conference Info Page

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Join us this summer at the ASCA Annual Conference. We've lined up more than 150 breakout sessions for your education and professional development, not to mention amazing speakers and networking opportunities.

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My Personal Leadership Philosophy Statement

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My Personal Leadership Philosophy Statement