A veteran superintendent outlines an eight-step method for achieving success, including assessing the situation, avoiding board overload, coping with stress, deemphasizing egoism, learning to live in the gray zone between policy formation and administration, ensuring effective board decisions, identifying prospective board members, and knowing…

Despite his legendary exploits, Odysseus' approach to leadership would render today's educational leaders ineffectual. Successful school administrators nurture their team's good ideas, monitor the environment, stay flexible and alert, study history, and remain responsible. Advocates of site-based management must also beware competing priorities,…