Chapter 20: Building and Sustaining Positive Relationships Under Awkward Circumstances

The importance of positive leadership in organizations cannot be overstated. As Leithwood et al. (2008) pointed out, “leadership acts as a catalyst without which other good things are quite unlikely to happen” (p. 28). Schools are unique organizations, and they thrive on the existence of positive leadership. Several elements contribute to positive leadership in schools; one such feature is positive relationships. Rieg and Marcoline (2008) stated that “positive relationships are the heart of what makes a school extraordinary” (p. 3). Relationships in schools come in various forms, types, and levels, and these play integral roles in the lives of stakeholders. Our survival and success in school and life would be severely hampered if we were restricted or denied the opportunities afforded by experiencing positive relationships.