Avoiding the Trump Trap: A Primer for Aspiring School Leaders

During the winter of 2017 as I watched the lumbering start to the Trump Era in American government, I was struck by how many “rookie mistakes” in leadership were being played out to a global audience on an almost daily basis. While marvelling at the impending train wreck that was emerging as the Trump style in management and governance, I was struck by the fact that it clearly had no equal as a highly public example of what not to do when taking over a new position of leadership. Over the course of the winter and spring, I wrote a series of blog posts considering all of the potential “traps” that new and aspiring school leaders could fall into. The responses that I received from trustees, Principals, Heads of School and leadership hopefuls convinced me that it would be helpful to republish my posts in chronological order for everyone to consider. From the publication of the first post on St. Patrick’s Day to my final observations on the anniversary of last November’s election, this series of posts reflects the chaotic path charted by the current U.S. administration.
What they present is a cautionary tale for new and aspiring administrators. And, while I don’t believe that any school leader would perform as erratically as the forty-fifth President, this real life caricature has clear parallels in the pitfalls suffered by a great many struggling Heads and Principals as they try to find their footing in a new and challenging role. It is my hope that it might provide both a warning and a road map to avoid the worst of these presidential missteps.

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Avoiding the Trump Trap: A Primer for Aspiring School Leaders

During the winter of 2017 as I watched the lumbering start to the Trump Era in American government, I was struck by how many “rookie mistakes” in leadership were being played out to a global audience on an almost daily basis. While marvelling at the impending train wreck that was emerging as the Trump style in management and governance, I was struck by the fact that it clearly had no equal as a highly public example of what not to do when taking over a new position of leadership. Over the course of the winter and spring, I wrote a series of blog posts considering all of the potential “traps” that new and aspiring school leaders could fall into. The responses that I received from trustees, Principals, Heads of School and leadership hopefuls convinced me that it would be helpful to republish my posts in chronological order for everyone to consider. From the publication of the first post on St. Patrick’s Day to my final observations on the anniversary of last November’s election, this series of posts reflects the chaotic path charted by the current U.S. administration.
What they present is a cautionary tale for new and aspiring administrators. And, while I don’t believe that any school leader would perform as erratically as the forty-fifth President, this real life caricature has clear parallels in the pitfalls suffered by a great many struggling Heads and Principals as they try to find their footing in a new and challenging role. It is my hope that it might provide both a warning and a road map to avoid the worst of these presidential missteps.

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Avoiding the Trump Trap: A Primer for Aspiring School Leaders

Avoiding the Trump Trap: A Primer for Aspiring School Leaders

by Jim Christopher
Avoiding the Trump Trap: A Primer for Aspiring School Leaders

Avoiding the Trump Trap: A Primer for Aspiring School Leaders

by Jim Christopher

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Overview

During the winter of 2017 as I watched the lumbering start to the Trump Era in American government, I was struck by how many “rookie mistakes” in leadership were being played out to a global audience on an almost daily basis. While marvelling at the impending train wreck that was emerging as the Trump style in management and governance, I was struck by the fact that it clearly had no equal as a highly public example of what not to do when taking over a new position of leadership. Over the course of the winter and spring, I wrote a series of blog posts considering all of the potential “traps” that new and aspiring school leaders could fall into. The responses that I received from trustees, Principals, Heads of School and leadership hopefuls convinced me that it would be helpful to republish my posts in chronological order for everyone to consider. From the publication of the first post on St. Patrick’s Day to my final observations on the anniversary of last November’s election, this series of posts reflects the chaotic path charted by the current U.S. administration.
What they present is a cautionary tale for new and aspiring administrators. And, while I don’t believe that any school leader would perform as erratically as the forty-fifth President, this real life caricature has clear parallels in the pitfalls suffered by a great many struggling Heads and Principals as they try to find their footing in a new and challenging role. It is my hope that it might provide both a warning and a road map to avoid the worst of these presidential missteps.


Product Details

BN ID: 2940155155836
Publisher: Jim Christopher
Publication date: 02/28/2018
Sold by: Smashwords
Format: eBook
File size: 171 KB

About the Author

Dr. Jim Christopher was appointed Head of Kenneth Gordon Maplewood School in the Spring of 2012. Prior to coming to KGMS, Dr. Christopher was Head of Somersfield Academy, a pre-primary to Grade 10 Montessori and IB/MYP school in Devonshire Bermuda. Over his career, Jim has served as Executive Director of the Canadian Association of Independent Schools and the Canadian Educational Standards Institute for nine years; was Head of Weston School, a school for underachieving and learning disabled students, in Montreal; and, had a long and successful career in the public education system in Ontario Canada where he was a teacher, elementary and secondary Principal, and ultimately Superintendent of Schools in a large rural school district. Dr. Christopher is a graduate in Honours History from Trinity College at the University of Toronto; has a Bachelor of Education in History; a Masters in Curriculum; and his doctorate in educational administration. Jim Christopher is the author of numerous books and articles on European and North American History; Gifted Education; strategic planning; independent school governance; and, the effective use of technology in schools. Dr. Christopher, and his wife, Rheanne Stevens, moved from Bermuda to North Vancouver, British Columbia in the summer of 2012 with their two sons, Morgan and Quinn.

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