20 Biggest Mistakes Principals Make and How to Avoid Them

by Marilyn L. Grady

• ISBN13: 9780761946014
• ISBN10: 0761946012
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2004-01-08
• Publisher: Sage Pubns

Summary

By surveying both teachers and administrators, and applying her own experiences as both teacher and a principal, Grady examines crucial errors from several key categories.

Table of Contents

Introduction	ix
Acknowledgments	xiii
About the Author	xv
The People Skills	1	(20)
Interpersonal Shortcomings	2	(9)
Forgetting to Say Hello	2	(3)
The Cold Fish	5	(3)
Playing Favorites	8	(1)
The Invisible Woman	9	(2)
Communication Flaws	11	(10)
Open the Door	12	(1)
Secretary Snicker	13	(2)
Fear of Groups	15	(1)
Strong Undercurrent	16	(3)
Listen	19	(2)
The People	21	(12)
Neglecting the Professionals	22	(5)
Abandoned	22	(1)
We're Forgotten	23	(3)
One Piece of the Puzzle	26	(1)
Mismanaging Parents	27	(6)
Jump, Jump	27	(1)
Active Parents	28	(5)
The Principal	33	(18)
Being Too Bossy	34	(9)
It's My Way or the Highway	34	(2)
Beware the Sophist Principal	36	(3)
Treat Adults as Adults	39	(1)
Slash and Burn	40	(1)
Out of the Loop	41	(2)
Inconsistency	43	(3)
Pick It and Stick With It	43	(2)
Both Sides of Your Mouth	45	(1)
Displaying Weakness	46	(5)
No Backbone---But Nice	47	(2)
Zigzag Master	49	(2)
The Job	51	(10)
Endless Work	52	(4)
Overwhelmed	52	(2)
Learning on the Job	54	(2)
Mismanaging Time	56	(5)
Open Door	56	(3)
Endless ``To Do'' Lists	59	(2)
Tasks	61	(26)
Ignoring the Preparation	62	(3)
Doing Your Homework	62	(1)
Insiders vs. Outsiders	63	(2)
Displacing Goals	65	(5)
High Expectations	65	(1)
The Leaderless Group	66	(2)
Instructional Leadership	68	(2)
Decision-Making Dilemmas	70	(5)
Quick Draw	70	(2)
Avoidance	72	(1)
The Center of the Universe	73	(1)
Emotions	74	(1)
Change Dilemmas	75	(3)
Tradition	75	(2)
Easy (and Careful) Does It	77	(1)
Professional Development Vacuum	78	(4)
Assuming	78	(3)
Stagnation	81	(1)
Failing to Supervise	82	(5)
Going Through the Motions	83	(1)
Escape Route	84	(1)
Who's Incompetent?	85	(2)
Personal Issues	87	(16)
Forgetting the Family	88	(4)
Family Time	88	(2)
Who Am I?	90	(2)
Ignoring Health Issues	92	(3)
Good Health	92	(2)
Health Risk	94	(1)
Succumbing to Stress	95	(4)
Anger Alert	95	(2)
Increasing Expectations	97	(2)
Etiquette Gaffes	99	(4)
The Clothes Make the Man and the Woman	99	(1)
Talk Less, Hear More	100	(3)
Fatal Attractions	103	(6)
Errors of Judgment	104	(5)
Leave the Girls Alone	104	(1)
Watch Out for That Car!	105	(1)
Not on the Clock	106	(1)
Mistaken Ownership	107	(2)
The Leader's Response	109	(4)
Never to Err Again?	109	(1)
Over the Horizon	110	(3)
Resource A: Building Visibility in the Community	113	(2)
Resource B: Verbal Skills Self-Assessment	115	(2)
Resource C: Principal Access Self-Assessment	117	(2)
Resource D: Principal Self-Assessment	119	(2)
References	121