The IT Factor: Discover and Unleash Your Own Unique Leadership Potential

Have you ever wondered why some school leaders are far more successful than others? How is it that when faced with a relatively common set of challenges, some school leaders are able to not only meet the administrative demands of the system but also transform their school in ways that enrich the lives of staff and students? What is IT these extraordinarily successful leaders draw upon to drive the transformation?

My purpose in writing this book is to provide readers with insights that will enable them to discover their own IT (Inspirational Transformational) Factor, unleash their full leadership potential and transform their school beyond expectations. I have interviewed nationally recognized school leaders from across Canada, representing much of the diversity of our country. They are from communities that span our country, literally from coast to coast to coast. They recognized the difficulties facing students who were academically, socially and/or economically challenged. Situations dealing with the impact of colonization on students in Nunavut, systemic racism in Nova Scotia, challenges of new immigrant students in Ontario and the marginalization of academically poor students in British Columbia are just a few examples of issues that are detailed and examined in this book. I questioned each leader extensively about their life experiences and how they had drawn from this bank of experiences to discover their own unique IT Factor. Additional questions then probed more deeply into the attributes that were necessary in order to fully unleash their IT Factor. These stories provide valuable insights into how they thought, reasoned, and made decisions that guided their students, staff, other stakeholders, and school community to new heights. Examples are provided that demonstrate how they thought differently about issues and how each leader was guided by their own past life experiences. Each leader was unique in their IT Factor, however common to all was a grouping of core attributes that enabled each of them to unleash their IT Factor. These stories are further supported by insights into exceptional leaders in business, science, sport and the arts, and research conducted by leading academics. Through the unleashing of their IT Factor these outstanding leaders were able to bring hope, opportunity, and a renewed sense of purpose to the students, staff, and communities they served.

This book:- transcends conventional leadership theory, - challenges and guides the reader to examine their own core beliefs,- focuses on practical approaches to growing one’s own leadership capacity through the examination of real-life leadership success stories, - addresses many of the challenges faced by leaders in schools and organizations, while also providing practical solutions, and,-challenges and inspires the reader to examine their own situation, apply what they are learning, and grow their leadership capacity and success. Prepare to discover your own unique IT Factor, grow your leadership capacity, and bring about meaningful change for your students, staff and school community.




"The IT Factor by John Morrison delves into what exactly makes a great school leader and how you can grow your leadership potential. Through engaging stories of highly successful leaders, he takes you on a practical, hands on journey, highlighting the qualities that empower people to become inspiring leaders who take their staff on a journey of school and community transformation by developing a successful, child focused school. He talks about the qualities needed by a successful school leader in order to successfully navigate the journey from good to great. This easy-to-read book is something that every school leader will take something from and help them to become more successful in their role each day."
-Terry MacIsaac
President
Canadian Association of Principals