Publisher Description

The transition to mid and top-level educational leadership is often full of unexpected turbulence, confusing conversations, and mind-boggling navigational challenges that can send the best leader into a tailspin. In her book, Against the Wind: Leadership at 36,000 Feet Dr. Donya Ball helps administrators learn to face these challenges with courage and resilience. In this book, several experienced top-level leaders join Dr. Ball in sharing their experiences, lessons, and advice. With hope, wisdom, and humor, they share strategies for preventing problems, developing charisma, and facing rejection with courage and resilience.

Author Biography

Dr. Donya Ball is a superintendent in California and for over twenty years has been a change maker in public education, leading staff to inspire students to reach their full potential in preparation for life beyond the classroom. Donya is a professor of education and published her first book, Adjusting the Sails: Weathering the Storms of Administrative Leadership in 2022.

Table of Contents

PrefaceIntroductionPart 1: Preflight ChecklistChapter 1: The Flight Crew: Creating Your Support SystemChapter 2: Dynamic Balance: Achieving Flexibility in Life and Leadership BalanceChapter 3: Screening out Hijackers: Avoiding Time Mismanagement & MicromanagingPart 2: Smooth SkiesChapter 4: Reading Your Instruments: Charisma, Clarity, and CommunicationChapter 5: Inflow and Outflow: Hiring and Firing with DignityChapter 6: Wind Currents: The Push and Pull of Competing AgendasPart 3: Triumphing over DisasterChapter 7: Scanning the Horizon: Preventative StrategiesChapter 8: Emergency Landing: Training for Character Chapter 9: The Crash: The Shock of Career RejectionChapter 10: The Rubble: Picking up the Pieces after a Career RejectionPart 4: Journey's EndChapter 11: Taking Flight Again: Finding New Horizons Chapter 12: The Destination: Long-Term SurvivalBibliography

Review

Against the Wind needs to be in every leader's hands! Dr. Ball gives us honest insight into the challenges of leading our people but offers brilliant perspectives and real solutions for how to do the job well, without sacrificing our mental health. I love that she does real talk, but also gives us wise and practical advice on how to take control of this very demanding job.
Dr. Ball captures the heart of the trials and tribulations of leadership and, more importantly, an approach to success in all areas as a leader. The lens of flight is an outstanding parallel to leading at a high level. Against the Wind will help you identify your strengths as a leader while also ensuring that you reduce the blind spots throughout your leadership journey.
You can feel the passion, warmth, integrity, story-telling, and clarity. Dr. Ball masterfully brings you into the conversation. Like all planes, this book takes off against the wind and brings the many facets of leadership into vivid perspective. The sequel is as great as the first.

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