Author Archive

Standing and Delivering – The Principal’s Story

Wednesday, January 12th, 2011

Standing and Delivering: What the Movie Didn’t Tell by Henry Gradillas and Jerry Jesness, is the story of Garfield High School in East Los Angeles, which was featured in the film Stand and Deliver (1988). Gradillas was Garfield’s principal from 1980 to 1987. During this time the school gained fame for Jaime Escalante and his AP calculus students. This book tells how Gradillas lead a failing school that made amazing progress. Escalante is quick to credit Henry’s leadership. Every school leader and future leader should read this book.

Click here for my summary of Standing and Delivering.

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Propaganda and Persuasion – Book Summary Learn how to avoid being manipulated

Tuesday, December 14th, 2010

Techniques of Propaganda and Persuasion by Magedah E. Shabo provides an historical look at how propaganda has been used to manipulate the masses. The book is packed with interesting examples and illustrations. There is a companion CD with an extensive PowerPoint that offers a detailed explanation of the 11 techniques. The book will allow students and adults avoid being manipulated by advertisers, politicians, and anyone using the techniques. Every social studies teacher should have one in their classroom and no library is complete without it.

Click here for my summary of Propaganda and Persuasion.

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Personality Poker: Driving High-Performane Teamwork and Innovation by Stephen Shapiro

Saturday, December 4th, 2010

Personality Poker: The Playing Card Tool for Driving High-Performane Teamwork and Innovation by Stephen M Shapiro builds on decades of research to offer a simple game that provides deep insights regarding yourself, your coworkers, and your organization. The four personality types are represented by 13 traits on the cards of each suit. You can play a solitaire version or an assortment of versions with others.

Click here for my summary of Personality Poker.

A free online version is available at the Personality Poker site.

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Reframing Organizations – Lee Bolman & Terrance Deal

Tuesday, November 9th, 2010

Reframing Organizations: Artistry, Choice, and Leadership 4th Edition by Lee Bolman and Terrence Deal, is the best textbook for a leadership course that I have seen. I use it for a course I teach for educators at the State University of New York at Cortland. The focus deals with the structural, human relations, political, and symbolic frames found in all organizations. If you analyze complex situations using all four, your are more likely to have success leading and managing. The summary includes activities I do with my class. It should be in every library and professional development collection.

Click here for my summary and activities from Reframing Organizations.

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You Just Don’t Understand – Improve Communication Deborah Tannen

Tuesday, October 19th, 2010

You Just Don’t Understand: Women and Men in Conversation by Deborah Tannen is a must for anyone who can identify with either gender. If you want to improve your ability to communicate with members of the opposite sex, get this book. Tannen draws on her considerable research and that of many others in the field to explain the differences in how women and men communicate. While my summary hits the main points, the details I left out are fascinating.

Click here to see my summary of You Just Don’t Understand.

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