Tread Lightly, Lead Boldly: The Importance of Self-Awareness, Listening and Learning in School Leadership Success

About the Book

This book explores ideas I have developed over eighteen years of preparing school leaders. This work also draws heavily on my experience as a public school principal and district superintendent. As a professor of school leadership and as an administrator myself, I have noticed that no currently available books argue that self-regulation, listening, empathy, and self-knowledge are foundational to developing a strong leadership capacity. This book suggests that building these capacities will lead to both personal and professional growth. Further, this book suggests that developing leadership skills in this way—also known as taking an inquiry stance—will help school leaders cultivate a deliberate decision-making process that respects contending perspectives and leads to greater leadership success.

About the Author

Diane Ketelle is a professor of education and the Robert and Ann Wert Chair at Mills College in Oakland, California, where she directs the administrative credential and master’s degree programs in the School of Education. Diane began her career as an elementary schoolteacher, principal, and district superintendent. The Association of California School Administrators named her Superintendent/Principal of the Year for the State of California in 1994, and she is also a two-time Fulbright Scholar.