A Model of Emotional Leadership in Schools - Practical Guidance

In this review of A Model of Emotional Leadership in Schools the authors argue that principals must adopt emotional leadership to improve teacher well being and school performance. For educational leaders and policy makers seeking evidence-based guidance, the book's single biggest reason to buy is its clear linking of empirical studies to a practical leadership model that centers affective support for teachers. This review looks at how the text frames emotion as a managerial tool and what principals can realistically apply in day-to-day school management.

Key Features

• Research grounding: Draws on multiple empirical studies so readers can trace recommendations back to data rather than anecdote.
• New leadership model: Presents a coherent model of emotional leadership that schools can adapt to existing administrative structures.
• Focus on teacher wellness: Addresses affective wellness in teachers and offers approaches for principals to support teacher resilience and retention.
• Interpersonal guidance: Explores how principals can provide interpersonal emotional support, improving staff morale and classroom climate.
• Practical implications: Translates theoretical findings into actionable considerations for emotive school management and daily leadership choices.

Who It's For

School principals, assistant principals, and district administrators looking for a research-informed approach to leadership will find this book directly relevant. It is also useful for graduate students in educational leadership who need contemporary studies connecting emotions and organizational performance.

Those seeking step-by-step operational manuals or curriculum guides should look elsewhere, since the book concentrates on models and empirical discussion rather than lesson plans or classroom interventions.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Strong empirical basis provides credibility for adopting emotional leadership practices.
• Clear model makes it easier for principals to conceptualize affective strategies in management.
• Explicit attention to teacher wellness offers a practical focus on staff support and retention.

Cons

• Not a how-to manual for classroom teachers; its emphasis is administrative and conceptual.

Specifications

Title	A Model of Emotional Leadership in Schools
Series	Routledge Research in Educational Leadership
Authors	Izhak Berkovich, Ori Eyal
Primary focus	Emotional leadership and affective wellness in schools
Approach	Empirical studies and proposed leadership model
Intended audience	Principals, administrators, educational leadership researchers

Our Verdict

For educational leaders who want a research-based rationale and framework for prioritizing emotions at work, this book is a valuable resource that bridges theory and practice. It provides good value by offering a defensible model and concrete implications for principals aiming to support teacher wellness and influence school climate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this book suitable for classroom teachers?
The book is primarily aimed at principals and administrators; classroom teachers may benefit from its ideas but will find few direct classroom strategies.

Does the text include empirical studies?
Yes, the authors draw on multiple empirical studies to justify the proposed model of emotional leadership.

Will it help change school policy?
It offers a conceptual model and practical implications that can inform policy discussions about staff wellbeing and leadership practices.