Leadership strategies and approaches during crises is a nearly universal aspect of educational leadership. The chapters that make up Managing Yourself and Others During Crises: Key Leadership Visions, Approaches, and Dispositions to Survive and Thrive do not simply discuss this topic; they use compelling and innovative narratives and data to examine the benefit of prescribed approaches needed during a crisis. Readers will find this engaging book both informative and provocative.

Ed Pultorak PhD, former president, Association of Teacher Educators; professor, Doctoral Council Chair, department of curriculum and instruction, school of education, Southern Illinois University

Recent events have shown that communities look to school leaders as beacons for hope, trust, and guidance during times of confusion and turmoil. In Managing Yourself and Others During Crises, McKenna, Polka, and VanHusen address the components of exactly this type of effective school leadership. Importantly, the focus is first on how leaders can prepare and enhance their own leadership approaches, and then turns to how to utilize them to support others within the educational setting. As educational settings are restored following recent disruptions, this book provides a roadmap for school leaders that will enable the strong vision, forward thinking, and establishment of trust necessary to support students at a time where these supports are needed most. This is an essential read for all school leaders working to shepherd their faculty, students, and families out of the turmoil and toward growth and success.

Greg Fabiano, professor of psychology, Center for Children and Families of WNY, Florida International University

No one gets through life unscathed, so during any crisis it’s important to look for hope, while at the same time, gain an understanding of how the challenges we face during the crisis lead to growth. Managing Yourself and Others During Crises: Key Leadership Visions, Approaches, and Dispositions to Survive and Thrive does just that. Every chapter provides insight and practical guidance for readers to use during the pandemic and the next set of challenges they face.

Peter DeWitt, EdD, author, blogger and leadership coach

In a world that is dynamic, interconnected, and complex, leaders face challenges, obstacles, and uncertainties—and managing the unexpected becomes a vital part of their roles. Yet, while some leaders are successful in thriving despite crisis moments, others fail to do so. By analyzing how leaders’ self-management and their management of others helps overcome crises, this book can serve as a vital resource for organizations that need to maintain function, culture, and structure when confronted with the unexpected.

Abebayehu Aemero Tekleselassie, associate professor of educational leadership, The George Washington University

This is not just another book on transformational leadership! In order for school leaders to be prepared to address crises, they need independence, meaningful collaboration, and a shared conviction to empower the community to address issues as smoothly as possible while providing opportunities for actual change. Many leaders have been faced with crises through weather, violence, and now the pandemic. Today’s educational leaders are aware that in order to address crisis situations they need to gather all of their leadership skills to design a system that utilizes all resources to offer hope and healing.
InManaging Yourself and Others During Crises, readers will find activities designed to build collective efficacy in the school community and foster leadership and interdependence among staff and community; theories of action to focus team efforts and how to create strategies for opportunities to change; and resources to help define desired outcomes and steps necessary to get there. This book will help educational leaders reflect about the survival value and organizational sustainment of employing the elements of visionary leadership using an optimistic mindset, a collective commitment to improvement, and a shared process for hope and healing in order to nurture greater impact together as a community.

Sherry Goodvin, associate clinical professor and co-director, Kansas Mentor and Induction Center, department of intervention services and leadership in education (ISLE), Wichita State University

For those finding themselves between the theoretical and practical, managing and leading, or facing what appears to be the impossible, Polka, McKenna, and VanHusen offer readers an authentic perspective for those charged with leading during a crisis. From Columbine to COVID, this book frames moments of crisis through a practitioner’s lens providing a blueprint to challenge our thinking, dispositions, and actions. Illuminating the tensions of mindset shift from surviving to thriving positions provides readers with a sense of hope and confidence for the next unexpected moments they encounter.

Daniel F. Walh PhD, principal, Transit Middle School