The keys to having an outstanding career as a school leader. The American educational system is in crisis; trends of recent years have been extraordinarily hard on educators. An entire generation of school leaders is retiring, many of them early, and the number of candidates applying to replace them is plummeting.

Introduction ix Author’s Note xiii 1. The First Secret: When You Go to See the Wizard, Take Toto 1 2. The Second Secret: They’ll Never Understand 19 3. The Third Secret: Change is What it Means 39 4. The Fourth Secret: Bite Off What You Can Chew 57 5. The Fifth Secret: Be Your Best, Bold Self 75 6. The Sixth Secret: Nourish to Flourish 91 7. The Seventh Secret: From Savvy to Wise: Look Out for Number One 109 Endnotes 129 References 133 Index 139

Seven Secrets of the Savvy School Leader SCHOOL LEADERS TODAY ARE WORKING harder than ever, longer than ever, dealing with ever greater complexity, and sacrificing ever more of their personal and family time to their work. At the same time they are subject to increasing criticism, second-guessing, and unrealistic expectations. Adding to this crisis in leadership is the fact that an entire generation of school leaders is retiring, many of them early, and the number of candidates applying to replace them is plummeting. How can we make school leadership more doable and offer hope to both experienced and beginning leaders? Seven Secrets of the Savvy School Leader tackles this challenge head on. Written by Robert Evans, noted school consultant, former teacher, and psychologist, this book offers concrete help and inspiration for anyone serving as or considering becoming a school administrator. From his experience with many of America's most savvy school leaders, Evans describes the qualities, characteristics, and behaviors that lead to success in today's uncertain environment. As practical as it is readable, Seven Secrets of the Savvy School Leader offers solid advice for overcoming even the most daunting of school leadership challenges, from dealing with the innate tensions that face all administrators, to learning how to tell the difference between dilemmas and problems, to guidance on where leaders should put their focus. The book also reveals why following the latest leadership fad can lead to ineffective and misguided decisions and practices. For anyone who wants to serve schools in a leadership position, this book provides an essential survival guide and a road map for excellence.