List of Figures and Tables
Foreword by Marge Hobbs
Preface
Acknowledgments
About the Authors
1. We Know What to Do, so Why Do We Fail?
The "Good to Great" Research Project
Leadership Characteristics of Level 5 Executives
Leadership Behaviors of Level 5 Executives
Two Behaviors From the Collins Study
Great School Executives Build Relationships
The School Principals in Our Study
Leadership Qualities Exhibited
2. First, Build Relationships
A Behavior Different From the Behaviors of the Level 5 Executive
Mr. Bond and Field Elementary School
Highly Successful Principals and Building Relationships
Comparison Principals and Building Relationships
Suggestions for Principals
3. Exercise Your Professional Will, but Stay Humble
Issues With Identifying Personal Humility in School Principals
Personal Humility: The Evidence Differs
Shy and Self-Effacing Leaders
Unreserved and Enthusiastic Leaders
Suggestions for Principals
4. Credit Others, Accept the Blame
Additional Data for Compelling Modesty
Evidence for Sustainability of Greatness
Evidence for Compelling Modesty
Mr. Unpretentious and Bay View Elementary School
Highly Successful Principals and Compelling Modesty
Comparison Principals and Compelling Modesty
Suggestions for Principals
5. Be Ambitious First for the School's Success
Ambition for the Success of the School Is Key
Ms. Aspiration and Mission Elementary School
Highly Successful Principals and Ambition for the School's Success
Comparison Principals and Ambition for the School's Success
Suggestions for Principals
6. Resolve to Do What Needs Doing . . . Then Do It!
Application of Unwavering Resolve to Schools
Ms. Persevere and Mountain High Elementary School
Comparison Principals and Resolve
Suggestions for Principals
7. Get the Right People on the Bus
School Leaders' Difficulties in Getting the Right People
An Example of Getting the Right People
Highly Successful Principals and "First Who . . . Then What"
Comparison Principals and "First Who . . . Then What"
Suggestions for Principals
8. Confront the Brutal Facts
Brutal Facts Tackled by the Principals in Our Study
Highly Successful Principals and Confronting the Brutal Facts
Comparison Principals and Confronting the Brutal Facts
Suggestions for Principals
9. Know What Drives Your Educational Engine and Be Passionate About It
Our Term: Educational Engine
Mr. Focus and Pines Elementary School
Highly Successful Principals and the Hedgehog Concept
Comparison Principals and the Hedgehog Concept
Suggestions for Principals
10. Build a Culture of Discipline
Difficulties in Achieving a Culture of Discipline
Ms. Discipline and Eagle Elementary School
Highly Successful Principals and a Culture of Discipline
Comparison Principals and a Culture of Discipline
Suggestions for Principals
11. Know Commonalities and Differences Between Public Schools and the Private Sector
Disparities Between Public Schools and the Private Sector
What We Have Learned From the Research on Leadership
Suggestions for Principals
12. Support Research-Based Principal Preparation
The Mid-continent Research for Education and Learning
Administrator Preparation Program Reform
Suggestions for Architects of Principal Preparation Programs
Resource A: Research Methodology
Resource B: Interview Participant Selection
Resource C: Principal Interview Questions Derived From Collins' (2001) CEO Interview Questions and Demographic Questionnaire
References
Suggested Readings
Index