PREFACE ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ABOUT THE AUTHOR INTRODUCTION PART I. FOUNDATIONS FOR EVERYDAY COURAGE CHAPTER 1. WHAT IS EVERYDAY COURAGE? The Evolution of Courage Modern Science Studies Courage Everyday Courage for School Leaders Defined Moral Courage Intellectual Courage Disciplined Courage Empathetic Courage The Neuroscience of Courage and Fear Conclusion CHAPTER 2. MAKING THE CASE FOR EVERYDAY COURAGE The Unspoken Requirement Professional Standards for Educational Leaders Losing Our Leaders Overcoming Fear Impacting Our People The Impact of Courage at Work Conclusion PART II. PRACTICING EVERYDAY COURAGE: THE THREE CUPS CHAPTER 3. CUP OF COURAGE: TRUST PRACTICES Overview of Trust Consequences of Distrust Benefits of Organizational Trust Conclusion CHAPTER 4. CUP OF COURAGE: ACCOUNTABILITY PRACTICES Overview of Accountability Accountability That Works Conclusion CHAPTER 5. CUP OF COURAGE: RISK-TAKING PRACTICES Overview of Risk-Taking Taking Smart Risks How to Take Risks The Benefits of Taking Risks Characteristics of Innovative Leaders Becoming an Innovative Leader Benefits of Innovative Leadership Conclusion PART III. ACTIVATING EVERYDAY COURAGE: PERSONAL REFLECTION AND DEVELOPMENT CHAPTER 6. ADVANCING YOUR EVERYDAY COURAGE Natural-Born Leaders Believe in Yourself Without Limits Keep Worry at Bay Be Optimistic The Right Kind of Practice From Purposeful to Deliberate Practice Creating Your Practice Plan Conclusion CHAPTER 7. ASSESS AND STRENGTHEN YOUR EVERYDAY COURAGE Scoring Your CQ Lessons Learned/Observations Courageous Practices for School Leaders Strategy Starters for Purposeful Practice Trust Cup Practices Accountability Cup Practices Risk-Taking Cup Practices FINAL THOUGHTS REFERENCES INDEX
Taking school leaders on a reflective journey, this book will develop an awareness of the courage required to meet the high expectations placed on leaders by students, parents and staff and will empower them to take charge of building the courage required to do the job well every day.
Cathy Lassiter, Ed.D., is an international consultant with over 35 years of combined experience as a public school teacher, principal, central office administrator, and consultant. Her areas of expertise are in Visible Learning, Teacher Clarity, and all aspects of school leadership. Before this role, she held various positions including Executive Director of Middle Schools and Senior Director of Curriculum, Instruction and Staff Development. She also was a successful middle school principal and was named Virginia's Middle School Principal of the Year. Cathy has served as an adjunct professor at The George Washington University, teaching graduate courses in educational leadership.