Generative Leadership: Shaping New Futures for Today's Schools

"Our schools need leadership that can uncover the liberating opportunities concealed within daunting challenges―this is the defining ability of American genius. This is the ′generative leadership′ we come to understand so clearly in this powerful and concise volume."
―From the Foreword by Senator John H. Glenn

"A succinct and elegant synthesis of compelling ideas central to effective education and reform. The developmental path spelled out for leaders is both clear and profound."
―Geoffrey and Renate Nummela Caine, Executive Secretary and Director of Research
The Natural Learning Research Institute

A new concept of leadership for today′s educational needs!

Linking brain science and educational research, generative leadership is an innovative approach that taps into an organization′s collective intelligence to spur purposeful action and produce effective solutions.

This accessible resource examines the fundamental elements of generative leadership and provides tools and processes to catalyze organizational development and personal leadership growth. The authors identify four modalities of leadership―traditional, pragmatic, explorative, and generative―and outline six hallmarks that can develop an individual′s generative capacity. Generative leaders view learning communities as complex, changing systems and are focused on:

• Deepening their personal knowledge
• Engaging in personal reflection
• Promoting professional conversations
• Harnessing creativity and innovation
• Leading their organizations toward a desired future

Generative Leadership offers school and district administrators a powerful new understanding of the dynamic organizations they lead, as well as the means to unleash the talent and creative resources within their educational community.

Karl Klimek is the Executive Orchestrator of the Square One Education Network, a nonprofit organization that incorporates brain/mind learning theory and practices in schools, with special focus on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics projects (www.squareonenetwork.org). He is lead author of Generative Leadership: Shaping New Futures for Today’s Schools (2008, Corwin Press), co-author of 12 Brain-Mind Learning Principles in Action: Developing Executive Functions of the Human Brain (2004 / 2008, Corwin Press) and has taught in Washington, Wyoming, and Michigan at both the public school and university levels. His school administrative experience includes service as a principal and as assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction in a suburban Detroit, Michigan district. Karl is President of 2 Perspectives: Learning Through Leadership (www.2perspectives.us.com) and has worked extensively in career and technology education developing state and federal programs. He is a Senior Associate of the Caine Learning Institute, Idyllwild, CA and is Board Vice President of the Natural Learning Research Institute. Karl received his undergraduate degree in education from Central Washington University and his master’s in educational leadership from Eastern Michigan University. He is recognized for his practical and enthusiastic presentations as a speaker and project development/design facilitator.

Elsie Ritzenhein is the director of the Macomb Academy of Arts and Sciences in Armada, Michigan, a magnet school for mathematics, science, and technology that has been designed around a foundation of generativity, living systems, and brain/mind learning research. She is also president and CEO of Creative Sources, where she uses her vast experience as a principal, teacher, central office administrator, Title I director, arts administrator, and school board member to assist educators and leaders in designing and implementing generative environments in schools. She has consulted for many years in such K-12 areas as language arts, the fine and performing arts, creativity, integrated curriculum and instruction, and brain/mind teaching and learning, and has worked with community college faculty as well.

Ritzenhein has held adjunct faculty positions at a number of colleges and universities in Michigan, most recently Saginaw Valley State University. She is also currently on the faculty of the Natural Learning Research Institute and is a senior associate with Caine Learning. She is passionate about creating school and organizational environments in which all stakeholders and participants can work toward their full learning and creative potential.

Kathryn D. Sullivan is a scientist, astronaut, and award-winning educator. She currently serves as the founding director of the Battelle Center for Mathematics & Science Education Policy in the John Glenn School of Public Affairs at the Ohio State University. During her 15 years with NASA, Sullivan flew on three space shuttle missions and earned the distinction of being the first American woman to walk in space. She served as chief scientist of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) from 1993 to 1996. She became president & CEO of COSI (Ohio’s Center of Science & Industry), one of the nation’s premiere centers for hands-on science and public outreach.

Recognizing her lifelong work in science education, the National Science Board awarded her its Public Service Medal in 2003. Soon after, she was appointed to that board by the President of the United States, and now serves as vice chairman. Sullivan is an acclaimed speaker on the national and international levels and a strong advocate for bringing the passion and creativity of real science into the heart of teaching and learning.