The Politically Intelligent Leader: Dealing with the Dilemmas of a High-Stakes Educational Environment

by Patricia Clark White, Thomas R. Harvey, Shari L. Fox

Overview

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."

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781475828597
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	07/14/2016
Edition description:	Second Edition
Pages:	220
Sales rank:	752,976
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.80(d)

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.

Table of Contents

Contents Preface Acknowledgements Part I: Developing Your Political Intelligence 1 The Politically Intelligent Leader Defined This chapter defines the politically intelligent leader and discusses the importance of raising your PIQ. It explains the difference between internal and external politics, and shoots down some of the myths about politics. 2 Blocks to Political Intelligence Ten things that block leaders from using their political intelligence are presented. Antidotes for each of them are discussed. 3 Trust: The Heart of Effective Political Action Trust is defined and explored as the core of all political strategies. Presented are 10 strategies to build trusting relationships. Part II: Using Smart Political Strategies 4 External Strategies Nineteen external political strategies are presented to be used by the politically intelligent leader who is dealing with situations outside the organization. 5 Internal Strategies Eighteen local political strategies are described, which can enhance power and influence inside the organization. Part III: Understanding How to Work with Political Styles 6 Understanding Your Own Political Style Through the use of an assessment instrument, The Inventory of Political Styles, which is included here, readers are able to analyze their own primary, secondary, and tertiary political styles. This chapter describes nine political styles and offers insights about how typical behaviors connected with each style can help or hinder the individual and the organization. 7 Working Effectively with Other Political Styles The reader learns to analyze the political styles of other key players and to customize a set of strategies that tend to be persuasive with those of various styles. Part IV: Staying on an Ethical Course in Politically Charged Situations 8 The Politically Ethical Leader Four Questions prompt reflection on ethical decisions in a political environment. 9 Dealing with Special Public Sector Groups This chapter examines the unique political problems and strategies for dealing with unions and union leadership, elected boards and councils, volunteers, advisory groups, and foundations. 10 The Machiavellian Leader If you have the misfortune of working with a Machiavellian leader, then you need to read this chapter thoroughly. In it we define such leadership and give you ways to cope with this style. 11 Digging Your Way Out of a Political Hole Problems are examined that arise from digging yourself a political hole, and tips are offered on how to get yourself out of it. Part V: Pulling It All Together 12 Practicing What We Preach Scenarios give the reader practice in using the strategies and ideas presented in the earlier chapters to become a politically intelligent leader. 13 Questions: We Get Questions In this final chapter we answer the questions posed most often in our speaking engagements. Conclusion Appendix: Inventory of Political Styles References Index

Editorial Reviews

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.

Kenneth M. Young

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.

Vincent J. Christakos

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.

Dr. Deana L. Porterfield

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.

Martin Lomeli

The Politically Intelligent Leader is a must read for any aspiring—or experienced—administrator who must deal with competing priorities and organizational interests. Returning repeatedly to the notion that 'politics is local' and a challenge to be understood and embraced, the authors bring to bear their considerable experience in a series of easy-to-understand theoretical concepts and sensible and practical approaches to everyday professional challenges. I heartily recommend this book.

Scott P. Plotkin

A most useful book for aspiring administrators who need to understand issues of political leadership. The authors have written a very clear and user-friendly book. We will use this book with the students in our Educational Leadership program.

Dr. Noni Mendoza Reis

There is a fertile zone between mugger's alley and Pollyannaish ideals where the push-and-tug of politics flourishes. Educators need to join the fray. This book nicely portrays the strategic and tactical options drawing on both academic research and the realities of the game.

Terry Deal

White, Harvey, and Kemper offer a readable book that encourages leaders to view politics as a way to meet the needs of all.

.n School Board Journal

I really loved [the] book. It is written in the kind of personal, highly readable style that appeals to me, and I'm sure will appeal to many others as well. I particularly loved all the practical tips and the illustrative war stories ... used to make [the] points come to life. I find The Politically Intelligent Leader to be full of what my grandmother used to call 'good common horse sense.'

Leonard O. Pellicer

A book that will keep you focused and grounded as you face the realities of external and internal politics, [this] is essential reading, not only for fresh, young faces uncertain about how to address their first organizational challenge, but also for their battle-weary counterparts who are looking for newer—and more effective—strategies to address ongoing issues. The Politically Intelligent Leader is a book that can save your sanity—and your career!

Robin Calote

White, Harvey, and Kemper offer a readable book that encourages leaders to view politics as a way to meet the needs of all.

American School Board Journal, May 2008 - .

White, Harvey, and Kemper offer a readable book that encourages leaders to view politics as a way to meet the needs of all.
— May 2008

American School Board Journal