Leading for Results

Dennis Sparks has been executive director of the 10,000-member National Staff Development Council since 1984. He previously was an independent educational consultant and director of the Northwest Staff Development Center. Sparks has been a teacher, counselor, and co-director of an alternative high school. He completed his doctorate in counseling at the University of Michigan in 1976, and has taught at several universities. He speaks frequently throughout North America on topics such as powerful staff development and effective teaching.Sparks has authored Designing Powerful Professional Development for Teachers and Principals (NSDC, 2002) and Conversations that Matter (NSDC, 2001), a collection of his JSD interviews since 1991. He is co-author with Stephanie Hirsh of Learning to Lead, Leading to Learn (NSDC, 2000) and A New Vision for Staff Development (ASCD/NSDC, 1997). He also co-authored, with Joan Richardson, What is Staff Development Anyway? (NSDC, 1998).Sparks’ column appears each month NSDC′s newsletter, Results. His interviews with leading educational thinkers also appear in NSDC′sJournal of Staff Development. In addition, his articles have appeared in a variety of publications, including Educational Leadership, Phi Delta Kappan, The American School Board Journal, The Principal, and The School Administrator. Sparks’ interviews and articles are accessible on the NSDC web site at www.nsdc.org/library/authors/sparks.cfm.

• AcknowledgmentsAbout the AuthorIntroductionHow to Use This BookPart I: Transformation Through Clarity and Creation1. Use Fundamental Choices to Create Your Life2. Clarify Your Intentions3. Establish Stretch Goals4. Identify Multiple Ways to Achieve Your Goals5. Find the Trim Tab6. The 80/20 Principle7. Practice Satisficing8. Determine Root Causes9. Develop a Theory of Action and Use Storytelling to Communicate It10. Gain ClarityThrough Writing, Speaking, and Reflecting on Action11. Leaders Provide Teachable Points of ViewPart II: Transformation Through Interpersonal Influence12. Tell Your Truth13. Use Candor to Assess Current Reality14. Use Genuine Dialogue15. Engage in Dialogue-Like Conversations16. Listen to Others in a Deep, Committed Way17. Use Silence as a Learning Tool18. Make Requests to Initiate Action and Create Results19. Make and Keep Promises20. Replace Questions With Declarative Statements21. Minimize the Language of Obligation22. Decrease the Use of Cause-Effect Language23. Stand Up for Your Point of ViewPart III: Transformation Through a Culture That Promotes Professional Learning, Teamwork, and Continuous Improvement24. Shape School Culture to Improve Teaching and Sustain Competent Teaching25. Create Successful Schools26. Promote Breakthrough Thinking27. Attend to Leaders′ Inner Development28. Recognize Our Best Selves29. Increase the Use of Signature Strengths30. Enhance Your Personal Energy31. Build Relationships to Sustain Positive Energy32. Address the Fundamental Barriers to Professional Learning and Teamwork in Schools33. Spread Positive Emotions Throughout the Organization34. Address Anxiety in the Schoolhouse35. Appeal to the Heart as Well as the HeadPart IV: Transformation Through Professional Learning and Doing36. Design Powerful Professional Learning for All Educators37. Match Professional Development Goals and Methods With Student Outcomes38. Bridge the Knowing-Doing Gap39. Amplify Positive Deviance40. Create Professional Learning That Alters Educators′ Brains41. Install Next Action Thinking42. Change Habits43. Sustain the ConversationIndex

"Sparks has distilled his vision of leadership into this helpful guide. This is a personal look at leadership, not as much about what leaders should do (although a large number of how-to′s are included), but more about how leaders should think and feel to actualize their potential and unleash individual and organizational energy."