Mindful Educational Leadership

"In Mindful Educational Leadership: Contemplative, Cognitive, and Organizational Systems and Practices, author Sharon Kruse puts forward a novel framework for leadership practice, one grounded in a unique synthesis of mindfulness research and theory. The latter gives the impression of a scholarly exercise; while the book rests on scholarly shoulders, it also offers approachable illustrations and abundant examples from current practice that promise to connect with its intended audience of novice and veteran school leaders. The book is timely: Mindfulness, as Kruse points out in her preface, has become part of the 'modern zeitgeist'. But Kruse adds much-needed clarity and depth to the concept with her tripartite framework of contemplative, cognitive and organizational mindfulness. At a time when leadership is synonymous with perpetual distraction, this book promises to help aspiring and current leaders center on what matters most, individual and organizational awareness."

--David Eddy Spicer, University of Virginia

"With over three decades of experience, Sharon Kruse provides invaluable advice on how to deliberately lead schools with curiosity. Through crafting narratives of the lived experiences of school leaders, Kruse weaves in theory, research, and practical advice for school leaders in a way that is relevant, actionable, and doable. This text is a must-have for leaders who want to rethink and reframe their leadership practices (current or future) with more authenticity and intentionality."

--Jayson W. Richardson, University of Denver

"Sharon Kruse's new book Mindful Educational Leadership: Contemplative, Cognitive, and Organizational Systems and Practices explores not only what effective mindful leaders do - but how they think, how they reflect on their own choices and practices and the intentional ways that they engage with and learn from others to innovate equitable, inclusive organizational approaches and systems. Based on interviews with 20 educational leaders who reflect, in part, the rich racial and ethnic diversity of our population, Dr. Kruse has crafted a resource to support educational leaders to more deeply learn about themselves and their organizations in order to mindfully and intentionally co-create inclusive equity-driven, learning environments. This is a must-read resource for educational leaders and those who develop, coach, or support educational leaders."

--Ann O'Doherty, University of Washington