List of Figures, Tables, and Exhibits XIII Foreword XVII Preface XXI Introduction XXV Equitable School Transformation Is Possible Leader‐ful Schools, Not Leader‐thin Primary Audiences for This Book The Listening Leader Map How to Read This Book Anonymity and Pseudonyms Chapter 1: The Transformative Power of Listening 1 Learning to Listen What We’ve Inherited A Few Core Beliefs Key Challenge 1: The Persistence of Inequity Key Challenge 2: Integrity in the Face of Pressure Key Challenge 3: Dealing With Trauma Key Challenge 4: Disconnected Data Becoming a Listening Leader A Word on Mindfulness The Arts Academy Revisited Part One: Awareness What do I need to know and understand to become a Listening Leader? Chapter 2: The Core Tenets of Listening Leadership 31 The Leader Who Wanted to Write People Up Listening Is Brain-Savvy The Neighborhoods of the Brain Tenet 1: Our Brains Are Wired for Survival First Tenet 2: Our Brains React to Survival Threats Through Fight, Flight, or “Tend-and-Befriend” Tenet 3: Social Threats Signal Survival Threats to Our Brains Tenet 4: Every Brain Grows in the Right Conditions Tenet 5: Organizations Have Core Memories Chapter 3: Listening for Equity 55 The Fragility of Trust Across Difference Tuning in to Structural Racism Tuning in to Unconscious Bias Tuning in to Cultural Difference Lessons Learned: Joy and Wendy Chapter 4: Getting Ready to Listen 79 Listening Below the Green Line No Shortcut to Trust Bids and Betrayals Understand Your Living System Mindful Listening The Problem of Rumination A Seamless Transition Part Two: Relational Capital How do I build the interpersonal currency needed to support and develop adult learners? Chapter 5: Practicing Deep Listening 105 The Fallout of Failing to Listen Relational Capital Two Types of Listening: Deep and Strategic Principles of Deep Listening Deep Listening Stance 1: Attention to Nonverbal Cues Deep Listening Stance 2: Mature Empathy Deep Listening Stance 3: Affirmation Chapter 6: Practicing Strategic Listening 127 The Impact of the Right Question Building Capacity Through Listening Principles of Strategic Listening Strategic Listening Stance 1: An Orientation to Vision Strategic Listening Stance 2: Reflective Inquiry Strategic Listening Stance 3: A Bias Toward Action Integrating the Six Stances Seeds of Transformation Chapter 7: Listening to Parents 146 When Things Fall Apart Navigating Difference With Parents Flipping the Script Between Parents and Educators Five Ways to Listen to Parents Jackie’s Reflections Chapter 8: Listening to Students 166 Listening to Students Tell the Real Story—Even When It’s Hard to Hear Discarding Well‐Worn Scripts Five Ways to Listen to Students Listening and Democracy Part Three: Complex Change How do I diagnose and navigate the challenges I face as a leader? Chapter 9: Influencing Complex Change 189 The Listening Leader’s Landscape Leadership in a Living System Diagnose Your Problems and Challenges Six Steps to Influence Complex Change Shaping the Path Chapter 10: Leveraging Listening Routines 214 A Staff Meeting with 100% Engagement Grown‐Ups Need Routines Too First, Take Your Team’s Temperature Next, Design Humanizing Routines Revisiting the Engaged Staff Meeting Chapter 11: Growing a Listening Culture 238 A High School Network in Transition From Hero to Host The Four Seasons of a Listening Culture “Set the Table” with Annual Retreats Listening Campaigns Learning Leader Chats Team One‐on‐Ones Safe‐to‐Learn Inquiry Transforming a Culture Chapter 12: Listening for Liberation 259 Conversation by Conversation Building a Movement The Courage to Listen Appendix A: Listening Leadership Rubric 263 Appendix B: The Six Stances of a Listening Leader 271 Appendix C: The Instructional Conversation Planning Tool 274 Appendix D: Additional Resources for Listening to Parents 275 Appendix E: Additional Resources for Listening to Students 278 Appendix F: Telling the Current-state Story Tool 282 Appendix G: Tools and Facilitation Steps for Listening Routines 283 Appendix H: Tools for Growing a Listening Culture 296 Glossary 304 Acknowledgments 312 About the Author 315 Index 317

LISTENING . . . THE KEY TO BECOMING A TRANSFORMATIVE SCHOOL LEADER The Listening Leader is a practical guide that will inspire school, district, and teacher leaders to make substantive change and increase equitable student outcomes. Rooted in the values of equity, relationships, and listening, this luminous book helps reimagine what is possible in education today. Drawing from more than twenty years of experience in public schools, Shane Safir incorporates hands-on strategies and powerful stories to show us how to leverage one of the most vital tools of leadership: listening. As a Listening Leader you'll feel more confident in these core competencies: Cultivating relationships with stakeholdersAddressing equity challenges in your organizationGathering student, staff, and parent perspectives as rich data on improvementFostering a thriving culture of collaboration and innovation The Listening Leader offers a much-needed leadership model to transform every facet of school life, and most importantly, to shape our schools into equitable places of learning. As Michael Fullan writes in the Foreword, "Read it, act on it, and reap the benefits for all." "This book is a 'must have' for any leader trying to move the needle on equity. Drawing from her lived experience as a principal and leadership coach, Safir offers stories that give insight and practical strategies that get results. It's one you'll keep coming back to." —Zaretta Hammond, author of Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain " The Listening Leader immediately changed the way I interact with students, teachers, families and community members." —Tamara Friedman, assistant principal, Berkeley High School "Shane Safir has written a brilliant book. As engaging as it is informative and as revelatory as it is relevant. It is a must-read for school leaders and those who aspire to lead." —Chris Emdin, associate professor of science education, Teachers College, Columbia University; author of For White Folks Who Teach In the Hood and the Rest of Ya'll too