Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Unstable Times
Lynette ONeal
Administrative Internship II
In this article, Myers (2014) discusses the leadership tools and actions taken to improve
school climate. The introduction of the article discussed turbulence as a part of the school
atmosphere in the 21st Century that includes lack of support, constant change, communication
problems, and increasing tensions from outside and within organizations. Myers (2014) suggests
that school leaders should have a high capacity for decision-making, management, and taking
The purpose of the study was to examine the work of a high school principal who
managed a school environment during turbulent times. The goal was to get an understanding of
how leader competencies and organizational behavior relate to the management of the school
environment during turbulent times. The author sought the perceptions of other administrators,
teachers, staff, community members, recent graduates, and other stakeholders to get a firm
The literature review addressed sources of turbulence in educational institutions and the
values that school leaders need to address obstacles that may arise. Specifically, Myers (2014)
discussed leaders having the capacity to manage, lead, and improve their schools that address the
decisions, actions, and behaviors of school leaders. According to Myers (2014), the activities that
occur in the K-12 setting must be analyzed to understand the attributes, proficiencies, and
Phenomenon research was the method used in this article. The author conducted a single
site case study of one high school principal at a southeastern Pennsylvania high school that
consisted of about 2,000 students. The researchers qualitative case study consisted of school
administrators, teachers, parents, community members, recent graduates, and the one school
Running head: TAMING TURBULENCE 3
principal. According to the author, the intent was to determine how leadership behavior impacted
Data collection occurred over a 5 month period, beginning with an in-depth interview of
the school principal. After the initial interview, the researcher conducted observations of the
principal, performed data analysis, and completed a series of follow-up interviews to investigate
specific decisions and behaviors by the principal, as well as an exit interview. Semi-structured
interviews were conducted to gather information from the other school stakeholders. Data was
The results indicated that the school experienced severe turbulence in the form of a
deadly meningitis case, a teachers strike, a bomb threat, and a bomb explosion at the school.
The school principals handling of these incidents helped to establish a reputation for the
principal in being able to handle crisis situations appropriately according to the author. Myers
(2014) suggests that the principal reframed the crises by looking at what occurred as
opportunities to grow rather turbulent conditions. The school principal used what occurred as an
opportunity to learn and reflect, thereby creating a sense of stability for the school community.
The principal consistently employed a team approach, getting other persons involved in the
decision-making. He relied heavily on his administrative team, tapping into their talents, and
maximizing what he already had in place to bring the school some success.
In addition, the principal had strategic emotional management according to Myers (2014)
because he was able to direct his emotion without allowing them to interfere with or harm the
way he operated the school. The principal showed himself to be responsible, trustworthy, and
proactive in his decision-making and his actions with the school community.
Running head: TAMING TURBULENCE 4
The author concluded that the principal that was the subject of this case study had
reasoning, and rational decision-making that allowed him to lead his school through turbulent
times and gain the trust of all stakeholders as their school leader. The author concluded that the
best practice of leadership should consist of understanding the potentials of human functioning
References