What Great Principals Do Differently: Twenty Things That Matter Most

by Todd Whitaker

What are the attitudes and actions that make great principals stand out? In this internationally renowned bestseller, Todd Whitaker reveals the 20 keys to effective school leadership.

This essential third edition features helpful new strategies for recruiting talent through better interview and reference questions, as well as tips for retaining talent. It also offers a new section on how leadership is not an event, but rather requires a consistent approach to affect the climate and eventually shape the culture of your school.

Perfect for new and experienced principals, for independent professional reading or for leadership courses, this practical book will leave you feeling inspired and ready to do the things that matter most for the people who ultimately matter most—the students.

Genres: Education, Leadership, Nonfiction, Professional Development

178 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 2, 2020

Reviews

[Emilee Wooten · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes I’m putting my textbook from class because I read the whole thing so I think it counts!!!

[Lisa Gusewelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Whitaker loves using the phrase "the best teachers," but I would be curious as to his exact definition as I was concerned by the codependency and lack of work-life balance of the teachers he mentions as being the "best." I also had concerns about what he described to be "whining" and "complaining" teachers as it seemed as if those teachers were doing it because that's their identity rather than them responding to a specific situation.

He does clarify not overusing his "best and brightest" teachers later in the book and helping them construct some possible meaning of the word no for some opportunities (like staff parties), but I really think it showed a lack of respect for letting the teachers make decisions on what they perceived the best use of their time.

It also seemed like some of the advice given was indicative of a fixed mindset and was manipulative. According to what I took from Whitaker, the best teachers are the best because it's just how they were born to be. This then leads to finding the "best" student teachers, and I really think that this type of fixed mindset will lead to disappointment for both those hiring and the novice teacher. I agree with him that more years of experience does not equate to being more effective, yet working with the most struggling teachers can definitely be as useful as continuing to work with the most effective teachers. I didn't like that cut throat behavior as I think it has led to too many teachers who could have developed into great teachers leaving the profession.

Now, there were true nuggets in this book that should not be ignored, such as being consistent, being innovative in finding and keeping staff, having plans in place, developing one's assertiveness skills. There were also places that were quite validating for teachers who have dealt with bad boss practices. I was practically gleeful in hearing that those blanket statement and emails that are clearly meant for one person but are addressed to the whole staff is bad practice, and there were other instances he brought up throughout the book where I thought he did a great job calling out bad boss practices.

This could definitely be the bunny hill starter book to learning about leadership, so I would recommend it for school leaders who are just beginning to build their professional library of resources. However, if I knew someone was a voracious reader and ambitious, I would not suggest this book.

[Lucas Smith · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is exactly the sort of educational leadership book that I hate. Whitaker is probably a very funny and engaging leader, he would have to be in order to have the long and successful career he writes about, but being a funny speaker is not the same as being a good writer. The whole book is an exercise in self-admiration. Half of the books that Whitaker references are his own, and he takes every opportunity he can to sneak in jokes that made me physically cringe. All of that may have been forgivable if he had anything of merit to share, but his "twenty things that matter most" turn out to be commonsense practices that he uses as an excuse to boast about his own career under a thin veneer of modesty. In short, this book could have been an email.

[Janelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

An easy and enjoyable read that inspires reflection as a teacher, future administrator, or current administrator.

[Sean Blevins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full of good reminders and insights. The single biggest of which may simply be that school improvement is teacher improvement. There's no way to make a good school without good teachers, and there's no way to make a school better without better teachers.

Much of what Whitaker writes is also just good interpersonal, life-skills advice. It should't be surprising that there's considerable overlap between this book and his book What Great Teachers Do Differently: 14 Things That Matter Most.

Three chapters in the middle about basing decisions on your best teachers, considering who is made comfortable and uncomfortable by our decisions, and understanding high achievers articulated really well what was problematic about a recent curriculum rollout in my previous district. Those three chapters in particular will stick with me for a while...I hope. I plan to share them with my current co-principal and school board members; they are useful principles for making difficult decisions that affect a large number of people.

[Daaz89 · Rating 3 out of 5]

An easy read, the best part that stuck with me was principals should not mass email teachers if only a few are doing something wrong. Be the leader and talk to those teachers don’t punish all because of a few.

I also liked the pointer that during the first in service day the admin should not all gather up together at the front of the auditorium. Spread out and stop those unprofessional teachers who are texting friends, doing crossword puzzles, etc. you set the stage be the leader.

[Kathryn Jeanette Telford · Rating 3 out of 5]

What Great Principals Do Differently is a straightforward, practical read that served as a helpful tool before I began my new role as an assistant principal. While much of the advice felt familiar and at times a bit obvious, the book’s central message, people over programs, really resonated with me. It was a timely reminder that leadership is about relationships first, and that mindset has stayed with me as I’ve started this new chapter in my career. 3.5 stars.

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are a teacher, you should read this. If you are think you are a good teacher, you should read this. If you are aspiring to become a principal, you should read this. If you are a principal, you definitely read this.

Walk throughs! Advise/feedback from your best teachers. Make the less than stellar teachers uncomfortable and make your great teachers feel soooo comfortable!

[Alexandria Noggle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Books… especially shorter ones… should not take two months to read. It starts strong but becomes repetitive. The number of times that Whitaker cites his own books is obnoxious. If the other books already said it then why did you write the same book with a new title? I only finished the book to get it off my “in progress” list.

[Guillermo Maldonado · Rating 3 out of 5]

I will agree with some of the previous reviews. This book highlights good points if you are entering the leadership role. If you are an experienced leader the point’s addressed in this book can help with ideas to develop professional development around culture, consistency and school climate.

[Rebecca N · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has some good leadership reminders about consistency, setting expectations and building strong relationships. There is a focus on teachers - hiring the best, noticing the impacts of decisions and empowering strong teacher-leaders to do their best.

[Berit Ericson]

this one was interesting, because to me these things feel like they should be common sense to me?

[Hillary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent reading not only for school leaders, but really anyone involved in the education system.

[Gena Dye · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this one for work (obviously).😊