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Hacking Leadership: 10 Ways Great Leaders Inspire Learning That Teachers, Students, and Parents Love
The best leaders lead from the middle
When school leaders join teachers, students, and parents in a collaborative effort to improve teaching and learning, achievement soars and schools turn into vibrant communities, filled with enthusiastic members.
Teaching and learning feel too much like work
With constant emphasis on higher test scores and teacher accountability, it's easy for schools to become places filled with stress and despair, making teachers dread going to work and students disdain lessons and activities.
It's time to bring fun back to school
In Hacking Leadership, award-winning school administrators Joe Sanfelippo and Tony Sinanis demonstrate how to increase learning by leaving the office and engaging directly with all teachers and learners. They identify 10 problems with school leadership and provide dynamic, right-now solutions. During this exciting journey toward change, you learn how to:
Transform yourself from leader to Lead Learner
Amplify individual staff needs while maintaining a collaborative vision
Employ unique strategies to break down the walls between home and school Empower students and staff to own their space
Create a culture where "Yes" and "Trust" are the default Eliminate initiative overload while encouraging teachers to lead, as well Broadcast student voice Bring passion into your school
Embrace technology and social channels in ways rarely considered in education Eradicate your deficit mindset What makes Hacking Leadership different?
Sanfelippo and Sinanis present leadership strategies in ways few people have ever seen. These experienced, thoughtful, decisive leaders, share amazing, real anecdotes that make you feel like you're listening to trusted friends sitting in your living room. Then, they provide progressive, courageous, and practical solutions that you and all stakeholders will love, using the popular Hack Learning formula:
The Problem (a single leadership issue that needs a Hacker's mentality) The Hack (a surprisingly easy solution that you've likely never considered) What You Can Do Tomorrow (no waiting necessary; you can lead from the middle immediately) Blueprint for Full Implementation (a step-by-step action plan for capacity building) The Hack in Action (yes, people have actually done this) Are you ready to Hack Leadership
Grab your copy today.
When school leaders join teachers, students, and parents in a collaborative effort to improve teaching and learning, achievement soars and schools turn into vibrant communities, filled with enthusiastic members.
Teaching and learning feel too much like work
With constant emphasis on higher test scores and teacher accountability, it's easy for schools to become places filled with stress and despair, making teachers dread going to work and students disdain lessons and activities.
It's time to bring fun back to school
In Hacking Leadership, award-winning school administrators Joe Sanfelippo and Tony Sinanis demonstrate how to increase learning by leaving the office and engaging directly with all teachers and learners. They identify 10 problems with school leadership and provide dynamic, right-now solutions. During this exciting journey toward change, you learn how to:
Transform yourself from leader to Lead Learner
Amplify individual staff needs while maintaining a collaborative vision
Employ unique strategies to break down the walls between home and school Empower students and staff to own their space
Create a culture where "Yes" and "Trust" are the default Eliminate initiative overload while encouraging teachers to lead, as well Broadcast student voice Bring passion into your school
Embrace technology and social channels in ways rarely considered in education Eradicate your deficit mindset What makes Hacking Leadership different?
Sanfelippo and Sinanis present leadership strategies in ways few people have ever seen. These experienced, thoughtful, decisive leaders, share amazing, real anecdotes that make you feel like you're listening to trusted friends sitting in your living room. Then, they provide progressive, courageous, and practical solutions that you and all stakeholders will love, using the popular Hack Learning formula:
The Problem (a single leadership issue that needs a Hacker's mentality) The Hack (a surprisingly easy solution that you've likely never considered) What You Can Do Tomorrow (no waiting necessary; you can lead from the middle immediately) Blueprint for Full Implementation (a step-by-step action plan for capacity building) The Hack in Action (yes, people have actually done this) Are you ready to Hack Leadership
Grab your copy today.
168 pages, Paperback
Published June 9, 2016
197 people are currently reading
695 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
June 15, 2016
I have been lucky to call Joe Sanfelippo and Tony Sinanis friends for a few years now. I have watched as they have taken their amazing ideas from theirs schools and districts and amplified them into the world. I have seen how their words and through leading by example have helped others become more human in their leadership, more adept at navigating what it means to be a leader for all, and not just some.
So when I was sent a copy of their new book, Hacking Leadership, I knew I wanted to read it....at some point. But a leadership book? What did I really need that for? On Sunday night, as I flew to North Dakota, I decided to glance at it, to get a feel for the book so to speak. 2 hours later, I was done with the book. Mesmerized by the amazing ideas that unfolded in its pages, I was live tweeting quotes from the book, not because they had asked me too, but because these words resonated so deeply with me that I had to share them with others. The next night I added one of their quotes to the reading presentation I was giving, ending with their words rather than my own. I am not sure how else to put this; but this book? This book will change education if we let it.
What Tony and Joe have done is taken some very common problems in our schools, that seem to cross boundary lines, socioeconomic lines, and any other lines that may distinguish our schools from one another, and given us tangible solutions. Ideas that we can not only implement starting tomorrow, but also a blueprint for long-term change. They make no excuses for the roles of leaders within these problems, which as a teacher I found refreshing, and yet they do not blame, they merely point out the obvious and then offer up solutions right away. And these solutions are not long-winded plans that will be forgotten after the first day, but small "hacks" that will have an immediate effect.
Sending positive notes home to a teacher's family and support network thanking them for their support because it truly takes a village to change the world, yes please. Making 100 phone calls home to parents on the 100th day of school to highlight awesome work, yes please. Having students share the news from their school so they can shape the narrative, having students and parents as part of hiring committees even in elementary, asking for feedback more than once a year, yes please. Trusting teachers to develop learning opportunities, knowing that for many it will allow them relevant PD , but also knowing that some will still abuse the system but not letting that hinder you, YES PLEASE!
The book may say that there are 10 hacks in it, but there are so many more. From the small and seemingly insignificant like making sure you speak to all staff members by keeping a checklist, to the truly groundbreaking way that Tony and Joe have empowered students, staff, and their community to be a part of their schools; this book should be required reading for all people in a leadership position, no matter their philosophy, no matter their experience. In fact, if I were a superintendent, I would order a copy of this book for all of my leaders and make it their summer read.
I recommend many books as I speak, but hardly ever any PD books. It takes a lot for me to really feel like a book is worth telling others about when it comes to how they should grow as an educator, grow as a practitioner. The Book Whisperer and Book Love are really the two books that I recommend the most, but now they have been joined by Hacking Leadership. A book I wasn't really sure that I needed to read, but now can't stop raving about.
Read this book, pass it on, or better yet get everyone you know a copy and then try the ideas. Change small. Change big. Create a school community where every child, every adult feels that their voice matters. Follow the words of advice from Tony and Joe that I loved so much I took a picture of them to remind myself. "Not too many people wake up in the morning and say that they can't wait to be average today." Don't be average, hack your leadership and see the difference. I am so grateful that this book is out there for all of us to learn from, even if we didn't think we had much growing to do in the first place.
May 21, 2019
I saw this author speak at a conference earlier this year and loved what he had to say. I got it to read for the professional development elements to share with teachers. I love the ideas and tips, but it truly is a book for administrators. I would love my administrators to take the tips and read the book. I think some things are useful and valid for teachers, but it actually made me a bit irritated that I can't change more about the climate in my school. It is also the end of May which I must acknowledge because any education book at the end of May is going to get more of a judgmental lense from me.
July 23, 2025
Great philosophy and vision of what education can be within our schools. However, as a classroom teacher, it was not what I was looking for as it is (rightfully so) administrator focused. I did take something away from each of the 10 hacks to bring to the classroom, improve myself, or incorporate into department meetings.
August 29, 2018
I enjoyed this book! It's not a massive game changer, but it has some solid suggestions for principals (or lead teachers) to apply to their sphere of influence. They reference and suggest social media tools frequently, but overall, I enjoyed the breadth of their content and applicational ideas.
October 23, 2016
Ideal Leadership
What a perfect educational system we would have if all leaders used these hacks! I can see this is not an overnight process, but it's written in such a way that the suggestions can be followed by many schools. Unfortunately, some of the suggestions would need rewiring to be possible in small rural communities. Still highly recommend, because the mindset can be contagious.
What a perfect educational system we would have if all leaders used these hacks! I can see this is not an overnight process, but it's written in such a way that the suggestions can be followed by many schools. Unfortunately, some of the suggestions would need rewiring to be possible in small rural communities. Still highly recommend, because the mindset can be contagious.
March 12, 2021
It's not that this book is bad, but it was not what I needed. I had been researching books on educational leadership and this one was recommended. However, I am not an administrator so it was of little help. I kept reading for some strategies that I could take and apply as a teacher leader, but it is so uniquely geared toward administration that there were very true transferable lessons or tips.
June 27, 2016
This is not a book filled with research and philosophy...better yet it is filled with practical ways to reinvigorate and innovate learning in your school. A must read for all school leaders!
August 7, 2016
Great ideas. Every administrator and/or teacher leader should read this book. I can't wait to try some this year.
December 15, 2023
Introduction:
"Hacking Leadership" by Joe Sanfelippo and Tony Sinanis provides insightful strategies for transformative leadership in educational settings. This book, aimed primarily at K-12 educators and leaders, holds valuable lessons for higher education leadership as well. Introduced to me by a superintendent with whom I collaborated on early college opportunities, and recommended for his entire leadership team, this book redefines the conventional approaches to educational leadership. Sanfelippo and Sinanis, both accomplished in the field of education, offer practical solutions to common leadership challenges, making their work relevant beyond its initial K-12 focus.
Synopsis:
The book is structured around ten 'hacks,' each addressing a specific leadership challenge in the educational context. These hacks cover a range of topics, from rethinking how leaders interact with their communities to transforming school culture. Each chapter follows a consistent format: it begins by identifying a problem, offers solutions for immediate implementation, outlines a long-term plan, presents a case study illustrating the hack in action, and concludes by reconnecting to the initial problem. This approach provides a comprehensive guide for educational leaders to effect meaningful change.
Strengths:
"Hacking Leadership" excels in its accessibility and practicality. The book's concise, easy-to-read format makes it approachable for busy professionals. The scaffolded approach in each hack is particularly effective, guiding the reader from problem identification through to long-term implementation. The inclusion of case studies provides real-world examples of how these hacks work in practice, grounding the theoretical advice in tangible outcomes. This structure ensures that each chapter is both informative and applicable, offering a step-by-step guide to tackling leadership challenges.
Audience Considerations:
While the book offers valuable insights, its primary focus on K-12 education, with frequent references to 'kids' and 'parents', requires some reframing for higher education leaders. The use of K-12 specific language might limit its immediate applicability to higher education contexts, potentially deterring some readers. This focus is a minor drawback but is worth noting for those in higher education leadership.
Conclusion:
I rate "Hacking Leadership" 4 out of 5 stars on Goodreads. It's a commendable work, offering practical and effective strategies for educational leadership. However, the placement of the mindset chapter as the last hack slightly undermines its impact. In light of Arbinger's emphasis on mindset as the driver of behavior, positioning this crucial topic at the beginning would have provided a stronger foundational approach. Despite this, I recommend "Hacking Leadership" for its innovative and practical insights, particularly for those willing to adapt its lessons to higher education settings.
#HackingLeadership #JoeSanfelippo #TonySinanis #EducationalLeadership #K12Education #HigherEducation #LeadershipDevelopment #MindsetMatters #GoodreadsReview #TheClarkCommunique
"Hacking Leadership" by Joe Sanfelippo and Tony Sinanis provides insightful strategies for transformative leadership in educational settings. This book, aimed primarily at K-12 educators and leaders, holds valuable lessons for higher education leadership as well. Introduced to me by a superintendent with whom I collaborated on early college opportunities, and recommended for his entire leadership team, this book redefines the conventional approaches to educational leadership. Sanfelippo and Sinanis, both accomplished in the field of education, offer practical solutions to common leadership challenges, making their work relevant beyond its initial K-12 focus.
Synopsis:
The book is structured around ten 'hacks,' each addressing a specific leadership challenge in the educational context. These hacks cover a range of topics, from rethinking how leaders interact with their communities to transforming school culture. Each chapter follows a consistent format: it begins by identifying a problem, offers solutions for immediate implementation, outlines a long-term plan, presents a case study illustrating the hack in action, and concludes by reconnecting to the initial problem. This approach provides a comprehensive guide for educational leaders to effect meaningful change.
Strengths:
"Hacking Leadership" excels in its accessibility and practicality. The book's concise, easy-to-read format makes it approachable for busy professionals. The scaffolded approach in each hack is particularly effective, guiding the reader from problem identification through to long-term implementation. The inclusion of case studies provides real-world examples of how these hacks work in practice, grounding the theoretical advice in tangible outcomes. This structure ensures that each chapter is both informative and applicable, offering a step-by-step guide to tackling leadership challenges.
Audience Considerations:
While the book offers valuable insights, its primary focus on K-12 education, with frequent references to 'kids' and 'parents', requires some reframing for higher education leaders. The use of K-12 specific language might limit its immediate applicability to higher education contexts, potentially deterring some readers. This focus is a minor drawback but is worth noting for those in higher education leadership.
Conclusion:
I rate "Hacking Leadership" 4 out of 5 stars on Goodreads. It's a commendable work, offering practical and effective strategies for educational leadership. However, the placement of the mindset chapter as the last hack slightly undermines its impact. In light of Arbinger's emphasis on mindset as the driver of behavior, positioning this crucial topic at the beginning would have provided a stronger foundational approach. Despite this, I recommend "Hacking Leadership" for its innovative and practical insights, particularly for those willing to adapt its lessons to higher education settings.
#HackingLeadership #JoeSanfelippo #TonySinanis #EducationalLeadership #K12Education #HigherEducation #LeadershipDevelopment #MindsetMatters #GoodreadsReview #TheClarkCommunique
March 8, 2020
As far as educational leadership books go (or leadership books in general, I suppose) this one is super short, but not a page is wasted. I enjoyed the book mightily, though I thought some of the advice suggested was wishful thinking (even though, as this Hacked Education series works, there are “Overcoming Pushback” sections to go with each of the 10 hacks). Also, I thought there was a very heavy tilt on social media usage and promoting student voice and choice - both concepts I’m for, I just didn’t need to read about their benefit/impact in two seemingly related hacks that were presented as two different strategies. But, overall, a solid resource that I’ll keep with me!
October 19, 2019
I heard Tony speak last fall at a conference and he moved me to tears. Even though I am not a principal or superintendent, I learned a lot reading this book that will help me be a better teacher and also a better mentor and support to those around me. I especially like the sections talking about how to more effectively engage my community and leverage social media to tell my school's stories. If you are looking to inspire yourself, your staff, your students, and/or your community, you should read this book.
June 19, 2018
A MUST read for EVERY school leader. Such an amazingly awesome book! A great kickstart for my on a summer of learning how to be a school leader. I've met Joe Sanfelippo and he delivers on all this greatness everyday in his home school district. Sound practical steps are laid out in this book including step-by-step guides and tips for dealing with negative reactions.
I'll repeat myself, a MUST read for EVERY school leader.
I'll repeat myself, a MUST read for EVERY school leader.
July 20, 2018
As a school leader, I am interested in what other practitioners have to say about what we do. I don’t have time for an academic novel with out of date or out of practice ideas. Sinansis and SanFelippo do a great job of normalizing what incredible leadership could be...can’t wait to share this read with colleagues and future leads...we need more people who lead like this!
September 5, 2019
The hacks are solid, but what makes this book is hearing Sanfelippo first. Without his passion and sense of humor, much of this is lost. The set up is great: here's what to do, how to do it, and how to deal with the push back that you will get. Maybe it would be better if Sanfelippo read it out loud himself or at least did a video for it. Go, Crickets.
October 11, 2024
The majority of this was incredibly obvious. There were a couple novel and interesting ideas about professional development, but the rest of it was things we've all known for years. I only finished it because it was short. That said, as short as it was, it honestly could have been a flier; it definitely didn't need to be a book!
March 26, 2025
As a school leader, I am interested in what other practitioners have to say about what we do. I don’t have time for an academic novel with out of date or out of practice ideas. Sinansis and SanFelippo do a great job of normalizing what incredible leadership could be...can’t wait to share this read with colleagues and future leads...we need more people who lead like this!
August 8, 2023
Some good reminders for school leaders! Would love more specific examples for high school leaders, but I liked the approach of the leaders in this book! A good way to get you thinking about the things that are most important in schools - the people!
April 26, 2024
Some of it reaffirms what I've read about leadership by other authors like Brene Brown, Stephen Covey, and George Couros. There are also a lot of practical tips included that offer specific ways to get started... which I particularly appreciated.
June 27, 2024
I’m finally catching up on all of the books that have been recommended/given to me over the past year. 🙈 Hacking Leadership is a very quick read (I finished it in one day!) and good for new or aspiring administrators and teacher leaders.
May 10, 2018
I love the "Hacking" books! So many quick, easy to implement ways to improve your school! Student voice, your school story, relationships, culture building!
June 28, 2019
Loved it. I made lots of notes of ideas to follow up on. Overcome a deficit mindset!
April 28, 2020
I read this for a graduate class. I appreciate the authors' positivity and practicality in making reasonable recommendations to rethink the way we lead schools.
May 30, 2020
Love the new audio book version, read beautifully by the award-winning Patrick Lawlor.
June 30, 2020
Read for Intro to Educational Leadership Spring 2020 class.
Good tips with out of the box strategies for school leaders.
Good tips with out of the box strategies for school leaders.
July 31, 2021
Just what I needed to read as a new administrator and coming out of a pandemic. Lots of great suggestions, practical advice.
July 31, 2022
I read this for work. Some good tips but the main leadership hack from this book seems to be to use a lot of social media.
February 24, 2023
Good book, not a lot of universal principles.
May 10, 2023
I think the hacks in this book might be good for brand new leaders, but it seems pretty basic for anyone who has been in a position of building leadership. A couple good takeaways, though.
September 1, 2023
A great resource for people in leadership roles in education, or in preparation programs for this type of work. A relatively easy read for a professional text.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews