Running head: AASA REVIEW

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AASA Article and Reflection Assignment for Module 1

Running head: AASA REVIEW Examining the article “Three Keys to a Successful Superintendent/School Board Relationship” written by Howard Carlson. Board members are likely to react in different ways because technically people are resistant to change and so their mannerism will be reflective of their own personal style of administration. The embracing of new philosophies and practices

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does not occur as expected but results from hard work, trial and error. It would be important that the board recognizes this fact in moving forward. I am drawn between thoughts on effective communication here, as I believe you can be collaborative in private and decisive in public. But of note to self is to survive and succeed in exercising leadership, you must work as closely with your opponents as you do with your supporters. Most of us cringe at taking abuse from people who do not share our vision or passion. Too often we take the easy road, ignoring our opponents and concentrating on building an affirmative coalition. But rather than simply recognizing one’s own anxiety and plow ahead. Assuming the role of a superintendent, I think people might view this as a weakness because we often times don’t understand the difference between an adaptive and a technical change. No one learns only by staring in the mirror. We all learn and are sometimes transformed by encountering differences that challenge our own experience and assumptions. It is therefore important to orchestrate the change as this may be easier to do when placed in an authority role because people expect those in authority to manage the process. As it relates specifically to Ed, it is important to understand that effective school board members of diverse occupations can contribute their unique talents while collaborating and working