The outcome of a situation is often influenced by how people and furniture are arranged. By using these tips, school executives can create the best psychological atmosphere possible. (DCS)

Inspired by Niccolo Machiavelli, this column offers beleaguered school executives advice on looking good, dressing well, losing weight, beating the proper enemy, and saying nothing. Administrators who follow these simple rules should have an easier life, jealous colleagues, well-tended gardens, and respectful board members. (MLH)

To delegate tasks effectively, school administrators must determine what they do best and the functions they can afford to delegate; decide when to delegate; determine which employees have the skills, knowledge, and attitudes to accomplish assignments well and on time; measure the quality and quantity of results; and evaluate the data obtained.…

Inspired by the survivalist strategies of James Clavell's protagonist in "King Rat," this article advises administrators how to practice creative insubordination by informally lobbying board members, winking at obstructive rules, and pursuing devious ends in their school's interest. The best administrators take chances, hiding their…

Outlines 15 time-saving strategies for busy school administrators, such as goal and priority setting, bunching (clustering similar activities), chunking (breaking down complex tasks into more manageable parts), pursuing brevity, setting deadlines, delegating, eliminating time wasters, preparing strategic plans, saying no, hiding out, and…

Effective managers learn to delegate responsibility without compromising their authority. Administrators can easily delegate work that can be done by others, operational and recurring tasks, information collection, meeting attendance, and tasks in the subordinate's job area. Administrators should not delegate performance evaluation, disciplinary…

Exploding in anger has its charm, though putting sand in the social oil is not simple. Rudeness, like celebrity deaths, comes in threes: daily, demented, and inspired. Administrators should be forewarned: rudeness is effective only when coming from power. Powerless rude people are called nuts; powerful rude people are deemed eccentric. (MLH)

A matriarch who puts strong stock in good manners and even better behavior, Linda Bates Transou is a no-nonsense Denver principal committed to dismantling her high school's two-tier, segregated system. Transou wants all students to have the opportunity to attend college. Since 1986, the number of minority students in accelerated courses has…

School leaders can preserve their equanimity by going slow with education fads; ignoring models from the business world; allowing rituals to develop instead of forcing systematic organization; keeping track of promises and carrying them out; quitting when going to work becomes a chore; and observing the golden rule. Honesty is the key. (MLH)

Administrative team management is the best way to provide direction and leadership to an individualistic group of professionals such as educators. Some suggestions to make management teams run smoothly are: (1) use the team to gather facts; (2) make sure the team works with the people (teachers, parents, and business people) who may be affected by…

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…

Every decision made by successful school executives results in either a deposit or a withdrawal from their political capital. Paying attention to one's level of political support is essential for survival. To build capital, administrators must invest time in building good working relationships, concentrate on content, and emphasize accountability.…

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,…

Deming's 14 principles, which have revitalized Japanese industry, can help restructure the education workplace. Administrators should agree on future goals and priorities; adopt a cooperative, "lead management" philosophy; cease dependency on mass inspection; constantly improve production and service; institute training and retraining;…

Management approaches used by business do not necessarily work in education. Administrators must beware of trying to find a quick remedy for education's ills by adopting business management principles. Attempts of this kind were made between 1910 and 1930 and were found to be unsuccessful. The major reason is that schools and businesses are two…