Curated List of Leadership Resources

Foundational Leadership Books

1. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey A classic on personal and professional effectiveness rooted in timeless principles.

2. Leadership on the Line by Ronald Heifetz and Marty Linsky Focuses on adaptive leadership and how to lead in times of uncertainty and resistance.

3. Good to Great by Jim Collins Explores what differentiates good companies from truly great ones through rigorous research.

4. Dare to Lead by Brené Brown Emphasizes vulnerability, courage, and emotional intelligence in leadership.

Books for School and Educational Leaders

1. Leverage Leadership by Paul Bambrick-Santoyo Practical strategies for instructional leadership and school transformation.

2. The Principal: Three Keys to Maximizing Impact by Michael Fullan Offers a roadmap for how school leaders can maximize their impact.

3. Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us by Daniel H. Pink Valuable for understanding what drives teachers, students, and yourself.

Books on Emotional Intelligence and Communication

1. Emotional Intelligence 2.0 by Travis Bradberry and Jean Greaves Includes strategies and a self-assessment for building EQ.

2. Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High by Patterson, Grenny, McMillan, and Switzler Great for improving communication in high-pressure leadership situations.

Leadership Development Programs & Resources

1. Harvard’s Adaptive Leadership Framework Explore through Harvard Kennedy School’s Executive Education programs or books by Heifetz.

2. ASCD (Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development) www.ascd.org – Offers books, webinars, and courses tailored for educational leadership.

3. SchoolLeadership20.com Excellent for accessing resources, articles, and community-based discussions on school leadership.  https://schoolleadership20.com/

4. Edutopia Leadership Channel www.edutopia.org/leadership – Offers articles, strategies, and videos related to school leadership.

5. LinkedIn Learning Great for short leadership courses in communication, strategy, and management.

6. The Marshall Memo -The Marshall Memo, published 50 times a year since 2003, is designed to keep principals, teachers, instructional coaches, superintendents, and other PreK-12 educators well-informed on current research and best practices. Kim Marshall, drawing on his decades as a teacher, principal, central office administrator, consultant, and writer, lightens the load of busy educators by serving as your "designated reader." What Kim spends 20 hours creating each week, you can read in 20 minutes.  https://www.marshallmemo.com/

FOR SPECIFIC POINTS IN YOUR LEADERSHIP JOURNEY

🔹 1. Aspiring Principals

Focus: Vision building, foundational skills, and transition preparation

📚 Recommended Books

• The Principal’s Guide to the First 100 Days of the School Year by Shawn Joseph A practical guide to stepping into leadership with clarity and purpose.

• What Great Principals Do Differently by Todd Whitaker Concise and insightful, this book highlights the behaviors and attitudes that make school leaders effective.

• The Aspiring Principal 50 by Baruti K. Kafele A reflective book full of prompts and insights to help aspiring leaders clarify their “why.”

• Leverage Leadership 2.0 by Paul Bambrick-Santoyo A hands-on playbook for mastering data-driven instruction, teacher development, and school culture.

🌐 Online Resources

• NAESP's “Aspiring Principals Academy” www.naesp.org – Structured training to prepare educators for the principalship.

• SchoolLeadership20.com – Forums, blogs, and article collections dedicated to leadership growth.

• EdWeek’s “Leaders to Learn From” Series Highlights promising practices from dynamic school leaders across the country.

🔹 2. New School Leaders

Focus: Operational management, team leadership, and building trust

📚 Recommended Books

• The First-Year Principal by Kevin Armstrong An honest look at navigating the initial year in leadership—full of useful strategies and reflections.

• The Trust Factor: Strategies for School Leaders by Julie Peterson Combs, Stacey Edmonson & Sandra Harris Offers actionable ways to build and maintain trust with staff and the school community.

• Leading with Focus by Mike Schmoker Helps new leaders avoid initiative overload by emphasizing simplicity and clarity.

• Crucial Conversations by Patterson, Grenny, et al. Teaches skills for handling high-stakes conversations with confidence and tact.

🌐 Online Resources

• ASCD “Principal Leadership Development” Webinars and Courses www.ascd.org – Practical tools for classroom walkthroughs, instructional leadership, and staff development.

• New Leaders' Principal Institute www.newleaders.org – Leadership coaching and modules for early-stage principals.

🔹 3. Veteran School Leaders

Focus: Sustaining excellence, innovation, mentorship, and system-level impact

📚 Recommended Books

• Leadership on the Line by Ronald Heifetz & Marty Linsky A powerful guide to leading deep change without burning out.

• The Speed of Trust by Stephen M.R. Covey Essential for cultivating a high-trust school culture and delegating leadership.

• Deep Work by Cal Newport Helps seasoned leaders focus on strategic thinking and avoid shallow distractions.

• Adaptive Leadership: Tools and Tactics for Changing Your Organization and the World by Heifetz, Grashow, & Linsky Encourages system-level thinking and strategic risk-taking for experienced leaders.

• Leading in a Culture of Change by Michael Fullan A timeless classic for veteran administrators focused on large-scale transformation.

🌐 Online Resources

• AASA: The School Superintendents Association www.aasa.org – Rich in thought leadership, innovation, and superintendent-level strategy.

• The Wallace Foundation's Knowledge Center www.wallacefoundation.org – High-quality research and tools on school leadership effectiveness.

• Learning Forward’s “Leadership for Learning” learningforward.org – Tailored for leaders committed to continuous school improvement.