The best leaders use multiple frames or lenses to view common challenges and to solve their most difficult problems. This book contains a series of dialogs between a novice and a master teacher, and between a new and a seasoned principal as they demonstrate how framing and reframing challenges can bring clarity, help to anticipate problems, and lead to more comprehensive and powerful leadership strategies. The four frames most commonly used by teachers and administrators are: the political frame, where conflict and compromise are a constant source of renewal; the human-resource frame, where sharing individual needs and motives nurtures a sense of ownership; the structural frame, where clear organizational standards and goals lead to greater productivity; and the symbolic frame, where culture, rituals, and beliefs cultivate shared values and meanings. These frames are powerful tools. They help people see things they once overlooked and come to grips with what is really going on. By reframing situations, educators can ultimately gain more confidence and certainty in their decisions, become more versatile and effective in their responses, and reduce the anxieties that can arise with difficult choices. (Contains 14 references.) (RT)