This study explores crisis management/communication practices within the coal industry through the lens of high reliability organization (HRO) concepts and sensemaking theory. In-depth interviews with industry executives and an analysis of an emergency procedures manual were used to provide an exploratory examination of the status of crisis…

Examines the relationship between teacher commitment to school and students and organizational health, using survey data from 54 elementary schools in Israel. Finds, for example, that the principal's administrative behavior is the most significant predictor of teacher commitment. (Contains 50 references.) (PKP)

Shares results from a 1999 survey concerning desirable competencies for student union administrators. Found that human relations skills far outweighed others in importance. (EV)

A bit of kindness can make a principal lifelong hero or heroine in child's memory. Principals can create joy and happiness for students by working with them on plays, calling child's parents to praise positive achievement, publishing children's poems and drawings in the district newsletter, displaying student art work on bulletin boards, and…

This article considers principals' assumptions about human nature in Turkey and the relationship between the assumptions held and the leadership style adopted in schools. The findings show that school principals hold Y-type assumptions and prefer a relationship-oriented style in their relations with assistant principals. However, both principals…

The current downturn has the potential to be more severe and longer lasting than the recessions of the 1970s, '80s, '90s, and early 2000s. By now, rivers of ink have been spilled documenting the financial and economic crisis afflicting the United States and much of the globe. While numerous articles have examined the impact on higher-education…

The purpose of this study was to examine the leadership practices of principals identified as servant leaders. The conceptual framework used to access the leadership behaviours was the leadership practices advocated by Kouzes and Posner. Statistical analysis included a multivariate test to determine if the demographic variables were significantly…

The Vanderbilt Assessment of Leadership in Education is a 360 assessment of principals' learning-centered leadership behaviors. The instrument was designed to provide formative and summative assessment to principals on the leadership behaviors most important to student learning. The purpose of this report is to describe the standard-setting…

Purpose: The concept of managers assuming developmental roles such as coaches and learning facilitators has received considerable attention in recent years. Yet, despite the growing body of expert opinion that suggests that coaching is an essential core activity of everyday management and leadership, the literature base remains largely…

Today's collegiate forensic activities have changed in ways that pose profound challenges to directors of forensics. Six primary factors that contribute to the "at-riskness" of directors of forensics are: the changing face of today's forensic program forces difficult choices; the forensics community is seeing signs of a crisis in…

Uses two sets of survey data from random sample of North Carolina school principals to investigate principals reported behavioral responses to the state's accountability and incentive program. Finds that the state's ABC program is a powerful tool for changing the behavior of school principals in both intended and unintended ways. (Contains 2…

Explores the educational value of administrators creating a climate of "open listening" in their schools. Includes case study. (Contains 34 references.) (PKP)

Advises retiring administrators to exercise a bit of dignity and common sense in their remaining months on the job. Administrators should show consideration regarding retirement plans, fight laziness, conduct training sessions for other administrators, accept others' foolish behavior gracefully, and be generous with parting insights. (MLH)

Behavior measures and the Myers Briggs Type Indicator were completed by 343 senior managers; 3,158 of their peers, supervisees, and supervisors rated managers' behavior. A modest correlation appeared between personality type and manager behavior. Differences related to raters' perceptions were found. (SK)

Discusses why there has been little growth in empowerment over the past 30 years. Suggests that executives often work against empowerment both consciously and unconsciously and that they often do not seem to want what they say they need. Makes some recommendations that may help executives think more sensibly about empowerment. (JOW)