ABSTRACT
Effective principals aim to treat people with respect ten days out of ten. The best principals work hard to keep their relationships in good repair, and teachers notice. In a study of more than 230 principals, Todd Whitaker determined that the more effective principals were acutely aware of teacher strengths and supported individual staff development, needs, and desires. This sensitivity leads effective principals to work to avoid personal hurt and to repair any possible damage. Intentionally or not, some people regularly offend and insult others. These individuals seldom recognize the need to repair. And more significantly, they seldom work to repair. What we most need these teachers to do is to change their behavior. And if they change for selfish reasons, that does not matter. The critical issue is not why but whether they changed their behavior.
