Guiding Principles for Commonsense Leadership

Picture the conductor of a great orchestra. There he is, baton in hand, passionately directing talented professionals in a beautiful performance. 

Now imagine the conductor hears a discordant note from a cellist in the orchestra and decides to replace the guilty person with himself. The conductor sits among the other musicians and plays the cello. He plays wonderfully. He may be the best cellist in the orchestra! 

But who is conducting the orchestra? 

Over the years Dr. Charles E. Garrett Jr. came to understand that one of his strengths was in the orchestration of a team of talented men and women.  He discovered that he was good at seeking out strong educators and helping them fully realize and utilize their skills. This was an important skill in his world of education. By guiding their talents and providing a collaborative emphasis, they were able to produce results beyond any one person’s ability. He simply orchestrated the effort.  

Today’s educational leaders work in an extraordinarily challenging environment. Public support is uneven at best, and elected officials at the state and federal levels constantly drive change that is motivated by political ideology. Administrators must meet state and federal mandates, often a burdensome necessity, while providing exemplary local schools, which is often a more immediate priority. 

Guiding Principles for Commonsense Leadership by Dr. Charles Garrett offers strategies to shape schools and districts into organizations that can adapt, survive, and thrive in today’s difficult environment. Readers will learn to:

• develop a nimble organization that manages change effectively;

• build a culture of ongoing success and support;

• help all staff become fully realized in their roles; and

• surpass previous levels of professional success while enjoying personal fulfillment.

The ideas are simple to understand but take courage and commitment to carry out. The key is for each school leader to implement an intentional program of empowerment of all staff and to help each one become fully realized. A fully realized staff member is a highly competent, self-motivated, creative staff member who is an authority in his/her job assignment. 

United professionals working together collaboratively with purpose will be successful! They will overcome obstacles! Skillful implementation of the ideas in Guiding Principles For Commonsense Leadership will help organizations achieve at their very highest levels.