Purpose of the book

In 2006 the first edition of this book was published. The context and challenges for educators have changed considerably during this time period. While some challenges identified in that edition are still relevant, they often present themselves in different clothes. As well, new challenges have emerged and some of the earlier ones have morphed into more complicated forms. For these reasons, and the fact that the book had a strong national and international audience, the decision was made with my publishers to issue a renewed and substantially changed edition.

The primary purpose of this book is to provide educational leaders, including teachers, with skills of identifying, analysing and responding to the complex challenges they face each day, including the ethical tensions inherent in many of these challenges. These are important skills for educational leaders if they are to meet the expectations of a cynical public. It is no longer a defence for leaders to say they didn't understand the significance of their behaviours or that they are too busy to play close attention to moral principles and ethical standards in their decision making. A values- and ethics-based approach for making decisions in situations fraught with paradox and ambiguity is a central focus of this book.

There are also clear and precise recommendations provided on the need for all those educators in formal leadership positions to share leadership responsibilities with others by building a sustainable collective ethic of responsibility for leadership in their schools.