Between the Idea and the Reality is a must-read for educational leaders, drawing on the author’s extensive experience in the education sector and as a professional musician to offer universally applicable insights. Through wisdom from researchers, thinkers, and personal experiences, readers will discover why the reasoning behind decisions matters more than the actions that follow. This is not about ready-made solutions but about engaging in deep, reflective thinking before acting.
By synthesising ideas from formal research, literature, intuition, and experience, this book provides a rich understanding of decision-making. It aims to equip leaders with a wellspring of wisdom to navigate the complexities of their most demanding responsibility: making effective and thoughtful decisions. Whether you are a principal, head of department, or aspiring leader, the insights in this book will enhance your leadership journey. Some of the anecdotes will touch your heart as well as challenge your intellect, adding a unique dimension that sets this book apart from other educational leadership literature.
Foreword by Emeritus Professor Frank Crowther AM
Innehållsförteckning
Foreword Emeritus Professor Frank Crowther
About the author
Acknowledgements
Prologue
Chapter 1 A marijuana leaf and an octopus
Chapter 2 The age of ambiguity
Chapter 3 A long and winding road
Chapter 4 Going back … to go forward
Chapter 5 Just what the truth is …
Chapter 6 The way it is
Chapter 7 A roadmap or a compass?
Chapter 8 The management of meaning
Chapter 9 Competing principles
Chapter 10 Who won the race?
Chapter 11 What we can’t see
Chapter 12 Culture and structure
Chapter 13 A leadership framework
Chapter 14 Culture (1): The art of the Covenant
Chapter 15 Culture (2): Walking in two worlds
Chapter 16 Culture (3): The power of trust
Chapter 17 Culture (4): The power of hope
Chapter 18 Intuition (1)
Chapter 19 Intuition (2)
Chapter 20 Intuition (3)
Chapter 21 Conflict avoidance, bias and noise
Chapter 22 To know the place for the first time
Chapter 23 The power of metaphor
Chapter 24 The power of story
Chapter 25 Where it all leads
Afterword
References
Om författaren
Norman Hunter OAM co-founded Hillbrook Anglican School in Brisbane and served as co-principal then principal over 21 years. He is a Fellow of the Australian Council for Educational Leaders and the Australian College of Educators, and received the Queensland ACE Medal, ACEL’s Nganakarra Award, and the Medal of the Order of Australia for his contributions to educational leadership. Since leaving Hillbrook, hehas remained actively involved in educational consultancy, board service and university guest lecturing, working with young Aboriginal assistant teachers in the Northern Territory and presenting a keynote address and workshop at the National Indian School Principals’ Conference in New Delhi.