Politically Intelligent Leader - 2nd Edition by Patricia Clark White & Thomas R Harvey & Shari L Fox (Paperback)

About the Book

The Politically Intelligent Leader will help leaders at all levels understand how to operate ethically during politically volatile times and how to deal with the special groups that are unique to the educational setting-elected boards, citizen groups, unions, and volunteers. A...

Book Synopsis

The Politically Intelligent Leader will help leaders at all levels understand how to operate ethically during politically volatile times and how to deal with the special groups that are unique to the educational setting--elected boards, citizen groups, unions, and volunteers. And when a political crisis arises, there's some advice on how to come out of it "alive."

Review Quotes

As a city manager [who has served] for thirty years in four different municipalities, I sometimes struggled to survive the political environment that permeated these organizations that I was to "lead." This book would have shortened my learning curve in identifying potential pitfalls and in developing strategies and a leadership style to better manage the politically charged environment that enveloped me. The authors provide tremendous insight into the political process that all public sector managers must confront.

Leadership is about people--how to navigate and engage others in reaching organizational goals. The Politically Intelligent Leader is a needed and essential resource for leaders at all levels hoping to positively impact their organization and make a difference in their work. By probing deeper into the political dynamics of leadership, the authors provide ways to examine, both internally and externally, the political decisions made every day in leadership. They offer you, the leader, a plethora of ideas for refining your own leadership and provide tools for assessing your current situation.

The Politically Intelligent Leader is a must-read for all school superintendents and executive cabinet members. It is a comprehensive review and analysis of politics in an organization [and] teaches how to build trust and increase your political capital so you can get things done. The book provides real-life examples of political and ethical dilemmas and how to navigate through them. I highly recommend it.

Whether you call it persuading opinion, influencing decisions, managing the narrative, or controlling the outcome, some form and degree of politics exists in virtually every organization and environment. Top leaders must be able to skillfully navigate the political waters that surround them each day. The Politically Intelligent Leader contains a lifetime of navigational lessons learned by seasoned mariners who share their personal insights and experiences in clear, relevant, and readily applicable language.

About the Author

Patricia Clark White has been superintendent of three award-winning California school districts, a national and international consultant and presenter, and an executive coach to leaders dealing with political issues. She is currently a professor and associate dean for the School of Education at Brandman University, overseeing the doctoral program in Organizational Leadership.

Thomas R. Harvey is a professor of organizational leadership in the doctoral program at the University of La Verne. He has been the dean of the School of Organizational Management and the chairman of the Department of Educational Management for fourteen years and is the author of several books including Checklist for Change; The Practical Decision Maker; Building Teams, Building People; and The Soul of Leadership.

Shari L. Fox is currently an executive coach to K-12 site and district level administrators. She is also an adjunct professor and learning group leader at the University of La Verne. She had served as school superintendent prior to retirement and now finds great joy in volunteering in her grandson Payton's classroom where she can observe firsthand the "sandbox politics" that begin at an early age.