Against the Wind - by Donya Ball (Paperback)

About the Book

The transition to mid and top-level educational leadership is often full of unexpected turbulence. This book shares anecdotes, helpful stories, and practical wisdom that will help administrators navigate the transition successfully.

Book Synopsis

The transition to mid- and top-level educational leadership is often full of unexpected turbulence, confusing conversations, and mind-boggling navigational dilemmas that can send even the best leader into a tailspin. In her book, Against the Wind: Leadership at 36,000 Feet, Dr. Donya Ball helps administrators learn to face these challenges with courage and resilience. Several experienced top-level leaders join Dr. Ball in sharing their experiences, lessons, and advice. With hope, wisdom, and humor, they provide strategies for preventing problems, developing charisma, and facing adversity with confidence.

Review Quotes

"You can feel the passion, warmth, integrity, story-telling, and clarity. Dr. Ball masterfully brings you into the conversation. Like all planes, this book takes off against the wind and brings the many facets of leadership into vivid perspective. The sequel is as great as the first." --Dr. John Hattie, author of "Visible Learning" and director of Melbourne Educational Research Institute

"Against the Wind needs to be in every leader's hands! Dr. Ball gives us honest insight into the challenges of leading our people but offers brilliant perspectives and real solutions for how to do the job well, without sacrificing our mental health. I love that she does real talk, but also gives us wise and practical advice on how to take control of this very demanding job." --Kim Strobel, international speaker, author, and education consultant

"Dr. Ball captures the heart of the trials and tribulations of leadership and, more importantly, an approach to success in all areas as a leader. The lens of flight is an outstanding parallel to leading at a high level. Against the Wind will help you identify your strengths as a leader while also ensuring that you reduce the blind spots throughout your leadership journey." --Dr. Joe Sanfelippo, author of "Lead From Where You Are" and "Hacking Leadership"

Against the Wind needs to be in every leader's hands! Dr. Ball gives us honest insight into the challenges of leading our people but offers brilliant perspectives and real solutions for how to do the job well, without sacrificing our mental health. I love that she does real talk, but also gives us wise and practical advice on how to take control of this very demanding job.

Dr. Ball captures the heart of the trials and tribulations of leadership and, more importantly, an approach to success in all areas as a leader. The lens of flight is an outstanding parallel to leading at a high level. Against the Wind will help you identify your strengths as a leader while also ensuring that you reduce the blind spots throughout your leadership journey.

You can feel the passion, warmth, integrity, story-telling, and clarity. Dr. Ball masterfully brings you into the conversation. Like all planes, this book takes off against the wind and brings the many facets of leadership into vivid perspective. The sequel is as great as the first.

About the Author

Dr. Donya Ball is a superintendent in California and for over twenty years has been a change maker in public education, leading staff to inspire students to reach their full potential in preparation for life beyond the classroom. Donya is a professor of education and published her first book, Adjusting the Sails: Weathering the Storms of Administrative Leadership in 2022.