BTS Spark, a global leadership development initiative based in Chicago and Sydney, has recently released a new book titled Embracing MESSY Leadership. This book, written by BTS Spark founder Rosie Connor and BTS Spark America head Alyssa Gallagher, offers practical tools and strategies to help school leaders excel in their roles. It has been published by the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD), a professional association for educators.
Drawing on over 20,000 coaching conversations with school leaders from around the world, the book is grounded in the reality of educational leadership and addresses the complexities of leading schools. “After coaching school leaders for nearly two decades, we realized what a rich source of data those thousands of coaching conversations held about the key challenges school leaders face and the strategies that are successful in tackling them,” says co-author Rosie Connor. “Not to share those valuable insights would be totally at odds with our non-profit ethos.”
The book also explores the importance of the human side of successful school leadership through the lived experiences of school leaders who have benefited from professional leadership coaching. With a focus on MESSY Leadership strategies, which have already been proven to be successful, co-author Alyssa Gallagher says, “The book aims to help school leaders become more aware of how they lead through the use of these strategies.”
Pasi Sahlberg, a renowned educator, writes in the book’s preface, “The book you hold in your hands is a guide to proactive, collaborating, and inclusive education in a world that continues to be characterized by uncertainty, growing inequalities, and disruption. It not only offers new ways to think about leadership in times such as this, but also contributes to every school leader’s practical toolbox to tackle everyday challenges.”
Embracing MESSY Leadership is available for purchase directly from ASCD and Amazon. It is accompanied by a free 33-page MESSY Leadership Toolkit, which supplements the practical tools and strategies covered in the book. The book’s co-authors are available for interviews and supporting photography can be provided upon request. Details of MESSY Leadership keynotes, presentations, and related resources can be found on the BTS Spark website.
BTS Spark is the social impact education practice of BTS, a multi-award-winning global leadership consultancy. They partner with schools, school districts, and educational leadership institutes to support the development of school leaders. Their vision is for all students and teachers to benefit from empowered, supported school leadership.
The co-authors of Embracing MESSY Leadership, Alyssa Gallagher and Rosie Connor, bring a wealth of experience to the book. Alyssa has served as a teacher, school principal, and Assistant Superintendent. Rosie has led school turnaround, worked for England’s National College for School Leadership, and facilitated the launch of Australia’s Professional Principal Standard.
ASCD, the publisher of Embracing MESSY Leadership, is a global leader in professional learning resources for all classroom teachers, instructional leaders, principals, and superintendents. For over 80 years, ASCD has provided evidence-based resources, digital tools, and solutions to help elevate education and boost student achievement.
