Leading from the Edge

An accessible, honest, practical guide to not only identifying stress but also managing and dealing with it.Provides information on how to support other teachers dealing with stress, not just your ownAuthor is trainer and speaker specialising in this area, and has given the key note speech at NAHT conferences on the subject.Work-place stress is on the increase in the teaching profession with more teachers leaving as a result of it than ever,James Hilton is a former headteacher working as a conference speaker and author, specialising in leadership, stress management and positive pschology. He applies his experience of human leadership to inspire a wide range of clients including school leaders NHS, local government and businesses. James provides fresh insights into the challenges of leadership in the intense environment that is the modern workplace.James Hilton worked as a headteacher at one of the largest primary schools in the UK. In 2007 he suffered a breakdown brought on by work-related stress. He shares his story in this inspiring book in the hope that it will help others. Leading from the Edge is the brave and honest account of how James managed to pull himself back from the brink and return to headship equipped with strategies to deal with the day-to-day stresses felt by so many school leaders in UK schools today. This is a one of a kind, provocative analysis of the challenges of leading a 21st century school, interspersed with advice guaranteed to inspire, reassure and help leaders overcome the pressure they are under every single day. The book includes coping strategies, tips on good nutrition and time management plus you will learn how to identify your own stress levels and causes. James offers guidance on dealing with parents and Ofsted, as well as how to support other teachers who are themselves dealing with stress. With a foreword from the acclaimed speaker and author on leadership Richer Gerver, this book is a must read for any current or aspiring school leader. Follow James on Twitter for daily advice on dealing with stress in schools @jameshilton300A guide to identifying, dealing and coping with stress and pressure as a school leader.Introduction/ Ch1 The way we were/ Ch2 The tipping point: a case for stress/ Ch3 A long way down/ Ch4 Seeing the other side of the story: External pressures on schools/ Ch5 The enemy within? Pressures from within a school/ Ch6 A sense of perspective/ Ch7 Habitudes: Breaking the cycle/ Ch8 Beyond the personal: managing the stress of others/ Ch9 A quick reference self-help guide/I would recommend that anyone in education that has a role managing and leading others read this book. I am certain that because of James's story my self-awareness and understanding of the pressures on others has improved to the extent where I will be a better leader because of it.A case study in bouncebackability. James tackles stress head on. An honest and forthright account. Life saving and, even better, no bull.This book is an absolute must-read for any school leader who is experiencing stress and wishes to understand what it is like to do so... This book will be my bible over the coming weeks and months.