"It is refreshing to see a volume dedicated first and foremost to understanding and building human relationships in schools. By developing strong networks, schools can foster open systems committed to distributive leadership and exemplary academic outcomes." —Sharon Conley, Professor University of California, Santa Barbara Discover how to navigate your school′s social networks to maximize communication and collaboration! Social networks reflect the usually invisible relationships that control the flow of information and power within a school. This compelling guide provides school leaders with an understanding of the real relationships within their schools and how to use their social savvy to promote school goals. This resource examines the types of social networks typically found in schools and provides samples of social network maps, steps for developing your own maps, and practical advice for managing social networks effectively. Learn how to leverage the power of: Task networks determined by work roles and organizational structure Friendship networks based on relationships between staff members Power networks that can influence opinions and resources Culture networks that can help unite staff By understanding the many relationships that contribute to a school′s culture, leaders can cultivate innovative ideas, enhance teacher capacity, manage conflict, and get things done.

Table of Contents:
Acknowledgments About the Authors Foreword by Guilbert Hentschke Preface: What′s in a Song? Lyrics to Green Door Introduction: The New Principal Encounters a Locked Door: Through a Smoky Cloud Outside Looking In Overview of the Book 1. A Glimmer of Networks: Saw an Eyeball Peepin′ Business Research Predominance of Networks Impact on Schools Misreading Clues The Context of Leadership Managing Networks Finding Direction 2. Network Basics: Green Door, What’s That Secret You’re Keepin’ Nuts and Bolts Network Players Whole Networks The Key to the Green Door 3. Limitations of Task Networks: Door Slammed, Hospitality′s Thin There Searching for the Boss Turned Down by the Boss No Access Finding Access Awareness Resources Stephanie Relaxes the Rule Book 4. Friendship Networks: The Happy Crowd Finding Friends Someone Who Understands Me Someone Convenient The Impact of Comfortable Connections Emotional Contagion Informal Induction Jasmine’s Cost-Benefit Decision Friendship and Productivity Antipathy and Its Problems The Blessings and Curses of Friendship Networks 5. Power Networks: Wish They’d Let Me In Politics as Usual Power Stars Power as Perception Power Players Baskets and Eggs Working the Power Networks Principals as Politicians 6. Culture Networks: They Laugh a Lot Behind the Green Door Stories and Traditions Ties That Bind The Way Things Are Done Around Here Tribal Leaders, Mavericks, Mavens, Gossips, and Spies The Door Ajar Cultural Players Trust Thy Neighbor The Spirit Moves Her: A Principal Assumes the Dais The Ghost of Garvey A Bonding Moment Reflecting on Garvey’s Green Door 7. Scoping and Working the Networks: Midnight, One More Night Without Sleepin’ Promises and Caveats of Network Study Beyond Individual Players Learning Communities, Culture, and Communication Making Sense of School Networks Opening a Can of Worms: Big Brother or the Future of Leadership Inside the Green Door Appendix: Research on Networks in Sociology, Business, and Education Network Literature Network and Related Literature in Education Our Endeavors in Social Network Analysis References Index