Return to Books

    What If I’m Wrong?

    and Other Key Questions for Decisive School Leadership

    By Simon Rodberg

    Published 08/2020



    About the Author

    Simon Rodberg is a strategy consultant and leadership coach who teaches educational leadership at American University. He was the founding principal of DC International School (DCI), a public charter school in Washington, D.C., and has held roles as an assistant principal, district official, and teacher in D.C. and Massachusetts. DCI earned accolades such as “best middle school” and “best high school” in the Washington City Paper poll. Rodberg's writings have appeared in prominent publications including Educational Leadership, Harvard Business Review, Principal Leadership, Principal magazine, and The New York Times.

    Rodberg's extensive experience in various educational roles has provided him with deep insights into the complexities of school leadership. His work emphasizes the importance of reflective practice and continuous improvement, which are central themes in his book, "What If I’m Wrong? and Other Key Questions for Decisive School Leadership." Rodberg combines practical advice with research-based strategies to help school leaders navigate the myriad challenges they face.

    Main Idea

    "What If I’m Wrong? and Other Key Questions for Decisive School Leadership" by Simon Rodberg emphasizes the importance of reflective questioning for school leaders. Rodberg suggests that by focusing on a small set of crucial questions, principals and administrators can navigate the complex challenges they face, make better decisions, and lead more effective schools. The book leverages insights from cognitive science and organizational theory to help leaders overcome snap judgments, avoid groupthink, and challenge conventional practices.

    The book's main idea revolves around the concept that effective decision-making in school leadership requires a deep understanding of the underlying issues, a willingness to question assumptions, and the courage to make bold decisions. Rodberg provides a framework for asking the right questions to gain clarity and direction, ultimately leading to more thoughtful and impactful leadership.

    Table of Contents

    1. Introduction: The Need for Effective Decision-Making
    2. What Am I Missing?
    3. What’s One Small Step?
    4. Where’s the Trade-Off?
    5. Does It Have to Be This Way?
    6. What If I’m Wrong?
    7. Conclusion: Building a Culture of Reflective Leadership

    Introduction: The Need for Effective Decision-Making

    School leadership is about making things happen, from achieving high test scores to creating supportive communities. However, the path to success is often complex and fraught with difficult decisions. Rodberg highlights the importance of thoughtful decision-making and reflective questioning to navigate this complexity effectively.

    "Thinking is crucial for principals who need to decide—or need to lead their community to decide—what a great school is and how to foster happiness and productivity in their students." - Simon Rodberg

    Rodberg explains that the role of a school leader involves managing multiple priorities and making decisions that have far-reaching consequences. The introduction sets the stage for the rest of the book by emphasizing the critical nature of decision-making in educational leadership. Rodberg introduces the concept of reflective questioning as a powerful tool for improving decision-making processes and outcomes.

    What Am I Missing?

    Rodberg emphasizes the importance of understanding the full landscape before making decisions. He suggests using tools like surveys, focus groups, and stack audits to gather comprehensive information and avoid biases.

      Sign Up for Free

    Sign up for FREE and get access to 1,400+ books summaries.

    You May Also Like

     12 min
    The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck

    A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life

    By Mark Manson
     19 min
    The Alchemist

    By Paulo Coelho
     16 min
    Becoming

    By Michelle Obama
     18 min
    Atomic Habits

    An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones

    By James Clear
    FREE
     14 min
    The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

    30th Anniversary Edition

    By Stephen R. Covey
     14 min
    Unbroken

    A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience and Redemption

    By Laura Hillenbrand
     22 min
    Story

    Substance, Structure, Style, and the Principles of Screenwriting

    By Robert McKee
     11 min
    Rich Dad Poor Dad

    What the Rich Teach Their Kids About Money - That the Poor and Middle Class Do Not!

    By Robert T. Kiyosaki
     13 min
    Outliers

    The Story of Success

    By Malcolm Gladwell
     13 min
    Milk and Honey

    By Rupi Kaur
    FREE
     20 min
    How To Win Friends and Influence People

    The All-Time Classic Manual Of People Skills

    By Dale Carnegie
     8 min
    Blink

    The Power of Thinking Without Thinking

    By Malcolm Gladwell
     12 min
    The Woman in Me

    By Britney Spears
     14 min
    I Am Malala

    The Story of the Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban

    By Malala Yousafzai
     17 min
    Untamed

    By Glennon Doyle
     17 min
    The Power

    Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business

    By Rhonda Byrne
     10 min
    The Power of Habit

    Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business

    By Charles Duhigg
     15 min
    Greenlights

    By Matthew McConaughey
     18 min
    Maybe You Should Talk to Someone

    By Lori Gottlieb
     18 min
    Quiet: The Power of Introverts

    The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking

    By Susan Cain