ABSTRACT
Crises may be rare, but the leader who is unprepared risks the school failing to survive the crisis. A crisis requires swift, decisive action. To manage a crisis, leaders must be directive about process but not about the solution. Understanding the landscape of the school and its community is critically important to being prepared for a crisis. Without an understanding of the school culture or local political climate, it is difficult to manage a crisis situation. Crises often arise in response to school policies that are ill-conceived or incomplete. The school leader should identify and build a relationship with the school’s legal advisor, as this individual will likely be an important player in managing the crisis. School leaders should create plans for any crises that can be anticipated. Leaders should be prepared to act quickly and empower their team to create a path forward.
