1st Edition
Finding Your Leadership Edge Balancing Assertiveness and Compassion in Schools
As a school leader, do you ever have trouble striking a balance between being agreeable and pleasing your staff, while also being assertive and making the hard decisions? In this empowering new book from Brad Johnson and Jeremy Johnson, you'll discover the tools and insights you need to fine-tune your leadership style and maximize your effectiveness while still building a great culture.
You'll learn how to find the balance between assertiveness and compassion that’s right for you, allowing you to address challenges with confidence and empathy. You’ll also explore the art of emotional intelligence and its role in building a harmonious school culture, where staff and students thrive. Each chapter is filled with practical strategies and examples to help you build your skills.
As you find your edge as a leader, you’ll improve your results for the school and your relationships with staff, and you’ll feel more fulfilled in your personal journey as well!
1. Discovering Your Leadership Edge
2. Understanding Agreeableness: A Key to Effective Teacher-Leader Relationships
3. Recognizing Risks of Passivity and Aggression in School Leadership
4. The Power of Assertiveness in School Leadership
5. The EQ Edge: Maximizing Your Emotional Intelligence
6. The Power of Compassion in Leadership
7. Navigating Conflict with Balanced Leadership
8. Empowering and Motivating Staff
9. Relationship-Centered Leadership: The Foundation of Educational Success
10. Maximizing Your Leadership Edge
Biography
Brad Johnson is one of the most dynamic and engaging speakers in the fields of education and leadership. He has 25 years of experience in the trenches as a teacher and administrator. He is author of many books including Dear Teacher (with Hal Bowman), Principal Bootcamp, Putting Teachers First, and Learning on Your Feet. He has travelled the globe speaking and training teachers and educational leaders.
Jeremy Johnson earned a master’s degree in Industrial/Organizational Psychology and has 16 years' experience, including a background in administrative processes and procedure development which has led to the implementation of streamlined workflows and improved efficiency in various projects. His exceptional leadership skills have also enabled him to develop and nurture the next generation of leaders within various organizations.
"A masterfully written read that engages the reader and fully inspires your inner leader with a finite focus on self reflection, development, and empowering the leaders that surround you. Finding Your Leadership Edge is created and designed for the intentional leader who truly wants to understand the art of understanding the individuals you lead."
Holly Ferguson, Prosper ISD Superintendent
"Every leader I engage with has asked themselves how they are leading differently today than they were before the worldwide pandemic. And, every leader admits that today’s leadership requires a different set of skills and dispositions than ever before. Developing an understanding of how to balance confidence and empathy is critical in a school environment that serves multiple generations from Boomers to Generations X, Y, Z, and Alpha. Regardless of how agreeable or assertive, passive or aggressive, or emotionally intelligent you may be, Dr. Brad Johnson and Mr. Jeremy Johnson’s reflection quizzes provide a great individualized framework for each leader to process how you will best develop your leadership edge."
Dr. Jeffrey Butts, Superintendent, M.S.D. of Wayne Township, Indianapolis, IN
“Finding Your Leadership Edge is more than just a book; it’s a mentorship in print, equipping leaders with skills needed to navigate modern challenges and nurture an inclusive culture . It promises to be an invaluable resource in your leadership journey, helping you to not only lead with authenticity through self-reflection and implementation of intentional strategies but also to make a lasting impact on your educational community by recalibrating the role as a relationship-centered leader.”
Jennifer Womble, Chief Learning Officer, Future of Education Technology Conference/District Administration
“Finding Your Leadership Edge is a practical leadership book with user-friendly guidance to hone your skills. It provides reflection exercises to get you started on your professional leadership growth journey. Authors Brad Johnson and Jeremy Johnson stress the importance of being assertive while also being compassionate. They call attention to key leadership strategies to help you succeed as a leader. Strategies such as building your trust capital, being a reflective leader, knowing your staff and stakeholders well so that you can lead authentically are explored. A must-read leadership book for leaders wanting to excel in their roles!“
Dr. Gladys I. Cruz, District Superintendent/CEO of Questar III BOCES
"If you aspire to school leadership or you are currently on the journey this book is for you. Brad Johnson reminds us of the importance of being a learning leader. By reading it you will be reminded of the importance of being authentic and reflective as you navigate the challenges and thrills of being a school Principal."
Corinne Latham, Principal, Belfast, Northern Ireland
"Finding Your Leadership Edge is an invaluable tool for leaders inside and outside the education sector – but especially for today’s leaders stepping into the principalship and superintendency with fewer years overall experience on average. In a world filled with exhaustive lists of leader standards and qualities, Brad Johnson and Jeremy Johnson boil down the complexity of weaving together a culture of trust, psychological safety, high performance, and hope into three easy-to-remember leader characteristics: compassion, assertiveness, and agreeableness. This empowers readers to name and refine their practice in each area and step closer to the profound impact every leader can have on schools, students, and community thriving."
Leslie Hazle Bussey, PhD, CEO & Executive Director, Georgia Leadership Institute for School Improvement
"'Leadership Matters' is more than just a mantra—it's a guiding principle underscored beautifully in Brad Johnson's book, Finding Your Leadership Edge. With insightful wisdom and practical strategies, Johnson equips leaders at every level to harness their unique strengths and make a profound impact. Through compelling anecdotes and research-backed insights, he illustrates the transformative power of effective leadership in driving organizational success and fostering positive change. Finding Your Leadership Edge serves as a beacon for those navigating the complexities of leadership, empowering them to lead with authenticity, purpose, and resilience. In a world where leadership is paramount, Johnson's book is an indispensable resource for anyone committed to maximizing their leadership potential and inspiring others to greatness."
Dr. LaTonya M. Goffney, Superintendent, Aldine ISD, Houston, TX
"In Finding Your Leadership Edge, Brad Johnson shares the essential art of balanced leadership and provides readers with practical self assessments and tools to understand the importance between assertiveness and compassion in leadership practice. He carefully depicts the culture of trust that needs to be established to promote this purposeful and meaningful balanced leadership style to promote positive school outcomes. This book is written in a thoughtful way to support school leaders in their personal leadership development and growth."
Dr. Dana Bashara, Superintendent
