Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Focus of This Book

as a leader? Since you have read this far into our introduction, we know you want to build your ability to lead from within. In our opinion, people who lead from within are leaders who want nothing more than to live their lives according to their truths and on their own terms. They lead from a core level that resides deep within their heart—in a deeply rooted space where their values speak of what is best within them. We both have followed in the footsteps of great mentors and role models. These leaders model leading from within and demonstrate a deep desire to lead with an infinite mindset.

Throughout this book, we invite you to consider how you lead beyond intention. As coaches, we know leadership necessitates both skill and will, and it is possible to learn to be a more decisive leader. In fact, we acquired many of our abilities to lead and coach through trial and error. As we consult with schools and districts, we observe leaders willing to read, study, practice, and seek coaching. Those we work with every day inspire us as they seize every opportunity to develop more vital skills and expertise. The great news is we know you can learn to lead from within. It takes profound drive and the desire to improve. However, this does not have to be a natural tendency for you; you can foster it.

If being a great leader only demanded skill, learning to lead would be a less challenging task. If skill is the only requirement, many more success stories would exist, and fewer people would take early exits from leadership roles. However, through experience, we both know the will—being able to find the inner strength and resolve to maintain focus, courage, and integrity—is what truly separates strong, impactful leaders from those who merely hold a leadership position.

Throughout this book, we provide examples of real-life situations as well as some fictional scenarios to support the text. Fictional scenarios are based on real situations in real schools, but the school or name of the leader has been changed for anonymity. In either case, they are all from our experiences both as leaders and as coaches and warrant sharing with you.

Focus of This Book

Our first book, Leading With Intention (Spiller & Power, 2019), develops a theme of eight, with eight chapters and eight reflective exercises at the end of each chapter. Eight symbolizes abundance, power, balance, and the ability to make decisions; we focused on the eight areas we believe to be most important to our work as leadership coaches that require PLC leaders to take action. Throughout the book, we focus on