The Principal's Guide to Conflict Management

Conflict is certain to show up in any school, so how do you as the leader know how to respond or when to intervene?

Disagreements, friction, and even outright hostility are a common and unavoidable result of people working together, and not all conflict is necessarily bad; it can also provide an opportunity to learn and grow. Whether the situation involves students, parents, or staff, school leadership expert Jen Schwanke has specific advice to help you navigate conflict within a three-step cycle of decision making:

* Anticipate and recognize different patterns of conflict.

* Analyze the underlying causes and effects of any given conflict.

* Act—or choose not to act—in a way that best helps the school.

Managing conflict is a critical leadership skill that you can learn to accept, embrace, and make a healthy and productive part of your role. The Principal’s Guide to Conflict Management describes the mindset skills you need and provides scenarios, strategies, and reflection activities to help you manage all kinds of conflict with clarity and confidence.

Jen Schwanke, EdD, is a longtime educator who has taught or led at all levels. She is the author of three previous books: You're the Principal! Now What?, The Principal ReBoot, and The Teacher’s Principal. She has written for Educational Leadership magazine, Choice Literacy, Education Week Teacher, Principal, and Principal Navigator. Dr. Schwanke is a cohost of the popular "Principal Matters" podcast and has presented at conferences for ASCD, NAESP, Battelle for Kids, RRCNA, and various state and local education organizations. She has provided professional development to various districts in the areas of school climate, personnel, and instructional leadership. An adjunct graduate instructor in educational administration, Dr. Schwanke currently serves as a deputy superintendent in Ohio.