Robert Palestini

This book details characteristics and behaviors manifested by effective leaders and discussion of how their behavior was informed by leadership theory. Robert Palestini describes the leadership practice of professional baseball coaches as a way to illustrate situational leadership theory, offering the reader examples of leadership behavior in the four leadership frames suggested by Bolman and Deal's situational leadership theory. This book demonstrates how someone can become a very effective leader in both his personal and professional life.

Literature on leadership often fails to include a clear connection between theory and practice. This book details characteristics and behaviors manifested by effective leaders and how their behavior was informed by leadership theory. This book specifically describes the leadership practices of football coaches as a way to illustrate the theory the author expounds, offering the reader examples of leadership behavior in the four leadership frames suggested by Bolman and Deal's situational leadership theory. This self-help book demonstrates how someone can become a very effective leader in both his personal life and his professional life.

Literature on leadership often fails to include a clear connection between theory and practice. This book details characteristics and behaviors manifested by effective leaders and how their behavior was informed by leadership theory. This book specifically describes the leadership practices of football coaches as a way to illustrate the theory the author expounds, offering the reader examples of leadership behavior in the four leadership frames suggested by Bolman and Deal's situational leadership theory. This self-help book demonstrates how someone can become a very effective leader in both his personal life and his professional life.

The conventional wisdom is that leaders are born, not made. Author Robert Palestini argues that his experience and scholarly research indicate that leadership skills can be learned. The first chapter of this book speaks to the so-called 'science' of administration and leadership, while the second chapter deals with the 'art' of leadership. One needs to learn how to lead with both mind (science) and heart (art) to be truly effective. The effective building blocks of quality leadership are the skills of communication motivation, organizational development, management and creativity. Mastering the theory and practice in these areas of study will produce high quality leadership ability and, in turn, produce successful leaders. This book uses the case study approach in order to facilitate placing theory into effective practice. Each chapter contains an extensive study on one of ten of the most successful basketball coaches of our times including, Phil Jackson, Bobby Knight, Mike Krzyzewski, Pat Riley, Pat Summitt, and Dean Smith. The book looks to see how these coaches were able to place leadership theory into effective practice. The lessons learned will prove invaluable to leaders and aspiring leaders, whether they be a parent, teacher, school principal, athletic director, coach or CEO.

'What are the characteristics of an effective leader? What leadership behaviors lead to success? What is the very best leadership style?' These questions have been posed by countless scholars in an attempt to find the most effective leadership style. Though many books have been written on this topic, all have failed to include the traits of an effective follower. In this book, the author offers six habits or behaviors of highly effective followers: purpose, responsibility, communication, flexibility, integrity, and sensitivity. Includes: _ A checklist at the end of each chapter to help readers assess whether they have mastered the information read _ A 70-question survey to help readers whether they exhibit the six qualities of an effective follower This helpful guide will assist anyone in the field to develop qualities that are necessary to become a highly effective person in his/her personal and professional life.

Educational Administration: Leading with Mind and Heart, 2nd edition takes an organization-development approach to producing effective leadership. Picture yourself standing in the middle of a dense forest. Suppose you were asked to describe the characteristics of the forest; what types of trees are growing in the forest; how many acres of trees are there; where are the trees thriving; where are they not? Faced with this proposition, most people would not know where to start and "would not be able to see the forest for the trees." Newly appointed school administrators often have these same feelings of confusion when faced with the prospect of having to assume a leadership role in a complex organization like a school or school system. Where does one start? An effective way to start would be to systematically examine the components that make up an organization. Such a system of organizational diagnosis and prescription will lead to a comprehensive and integrated analysis of the organization's strengths and weaknesses and point the way toward possible improvement. This book suggests such a sequential and systematic approach. Utilizing it effectively can produce dramatic and useful results.

Palestini advances a new theory of educational leadership seen through the dual lens of critical theory and the Ignatian vision and its practical implications. A truly novel approach, the author strives to acquaint administrators and students of educational administration with a different way of thinking about education and its administration. Possessing the knowledge and skills of leadership is only half the story, one must also develop a value system or philosophy that guides the leader's actions and provides the leader with the 'human touch.' To advance his theory, the author includes chapters that outline the Ignatian vision of leadership, discuss the critical approach to leadership and the integration of theory and practice, explore an organizational change process, and assess the effective implementation of positivism, the critical theory, and the Ignatian vision. The final chapter contains a practical application of this approach to a case study involving the very controversial topic of education tuition vouchers.

The link between theory and practice is crucial to grasp as an educational leader. Palestini shows readers the importance of organizational development and effective management of the change process in successful school administration and leadership. Using a diagnostic approach to organizational development, he systematically integrates the important aspects of organizational behavior into case analysis. The book presents opportunities for portfolio building and simultaneously stresses the importance of leadership that comes from both the heart and the mind.

Educators working with Palestini's textbook Law and American Education: a Case Brief Approach will find this comprehensive pedagogical tool useful. It contains the full briefs for the cases excerpted in the text, as well as diacritical and pedagogical suggestions. In addition to chapter-by-chapter methodology, the manual also contains a sample syllabus, sample examinations, and a supplement on the controversial issue of sexual harassment. This is an excellent companion for educators with no background in school law.

There is a sizable body of school law with which educators should be familiar if they wish to conduct themselves in a legally acceptable manner. Those educators who 'fly by the seat of their pants' may be in difficulty if sufficient thought is not given to the legal implications of their decisions and conduct. This text provides introductory material for those educators interested in K-12 educational issues, and who have little or no background knowledge in school law.