Wounded Leader

Richard H. Ackerman is codirector of the International Network ofPrincipals' Centers and professor of education at the University ofMassachusetts Lowell. Pat Maslin-Ostrowski is associate professor of educationalleadership at Florida Atlantic University.

"...brings to the foreground several very important ideas for thepractice of school leadership..." (TCRecord.org, September 11,2002) "...A very thoughtful and consideredbook..."(The Occupational Psychologist, December2002)"Not only is the book full of fresh ideas and new insights but itis fun to read. It is not the usual leadership book that reads muchlike the other leadership books but stands out as an originalcontribution...easily presented and scholarly without beingpretentious." --Thomas J. Sergiovanni, Center for EducationalLeadership at Trinity College, San Antonio, Texas "All leaders incur wounds. The Wounded Leader enables usto understand our wounds, learn from them....and begin to heal."--Roland S. Barth, Founder of Harvard Principals' Center "An honest and much needed account of how many of us in schoolleadership roles have weathered--for good and for ill --the woundsthat go with the job. Shoving this stuff under the rug has not beenhealthy for the work of schools, and it was a great relief -- anduseful--to have this discussed so thoughtfully in this book."--Deborah Meier, Principal, Mission Hill Elementary School, Boston,and Founder of Central Park East High School, NYC "The wounds we suffer because we are human should not be sourcesof shame: they are openings to deeper self-knowledge, strongerrelationships, and gratitude for our gifts. The WoundedLeader lifts up this hard-earned insight and applies it to thedilemmas of educational leadership with creative and life-givingresults. Here is a rarity among books on education, a book withsoul, a book that will help us bring our own souls to the work wedo." --Parker J. Palmer, author, The Courage to Teach andLet Your Life Speak

• Preface. Acknowledgments. The Authors. Part One: Ironic Blessings. 1. To the Stars Through Adversity(Ad Astra per Aspera). 2. Anatomy of a Wound: Where Does It Hurt? Part Two: Wounded Leaders. 3. Great Expectations. 4. Fragile Power. 5. Branded. 6. When the Bubble Bursts. 7. Trapped in a Cocoon. 8. The Trial. 9. Dancing on the Skillet. Part Three: Looking for the Good Story. 10. Narrative Healing: Once Upon a Time. 11. What Wounding Teaches. 12. Seeking a Cure for Leadership. Appendix A: Method of Inquiry. Appendix B: Case Story. References. Index.