This groundbreaking book presents a new way of looking at leadership that is anchored in research on women leaders in education. The authors examine how successful women in education lead and offer suggestions and ideas for developing and honing these exemplary leadership practices.

Foreword by Beverly Hall ix Introduction: Women Leaders Redefine Leadership 1 1. Five Ways Women Lead 5 Relational Leadership 6 Leadership for Social Justice 10 Spiritual Leadership 13 Leadership for Learning 18 Balanced Leadership 21 2. Our Status: Women School Administrators 27 History of Gender and School Leadership Research 31 Gender and Leading for Change 36 3. A New Way: Diverse Collective Leadership 41 Leading Collectively for Change 44 Relational Power 46 Social Network Theories and Change 48 Fluid Lines of Communication 51 The Power of Cognitive Shifts 54 Stages of Cognitive Shifts 57 4. A Closer Look at Collective Leadership in Practice 63 From Distributed Leadership to Diverse Collective Leadership 64 Three Ways to Support a Dynamic Culture 66 The Power of Integration: A Personal Skill 69 Working With and Through Others 72 School as Social Movement 75 5. Beyond Gender? 83 Leadership Shaped by Women 84 Making Meaning of Leadership 89 Embracing the Power of the Collective 92 Sustainable Leadership 96 Conclusion: Generating the Power of a Diverse Collective 101 References 107 Index 123

Women and Educational Leadership Women and Educational Leadership presents a new way of looking at leadership that is anchored in research on women leaders in education. The authors examine how successful women lead, and offer suggestions and ideas for developing and honing exemplary leadership practices. This groundbreaking book shows how the qualities that characterize women's approaches to leadership differ from traditional approaches—whether the traditional leader is a woman or a man. The authors reveal that women leaders tend to bring an instructional focus to leadership, include spiritual dimensions in their work, and strive for balance between the personal and professional. In addition, women leaders are more collaborative by nature and demonstrate a commitment to social justice. The authors include illustrative examples of leaders who have brought together diverse groups to work toward a common goal. This book will help the next generation fulfill the promise of a new tradition of leadership. Women and Educational Leadership is part of the Jossey-Bass Leadership Library in Education series. "This book eloquently recognizes and validates the successful leadership approaches used by women educational leaders." —SANDRA V. BUENDÍA, principal, Jackson Elementary, Salt Lake City School District "Margaret Grogan and Charol Shakeshaft bring together over two decades of diverse practice and research crafted by and about women in educational leadership." —C. CRYSS BRUNNER, associate professor, Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development, University of Minnesota "An extremely enlightening and encouraging book." —JEAN LIPMAN-BLUMEN, author of Connective Leadership: Managing in a Changing World "This book provides a framework for redefining the joys and challenges all leaders face." —MARY ANN HARDEBECK, assistant superintendent for personnel services, Loudoun County Public Schools, Virginia