The Principal as Leader of Challenging Conversations is a communications and conflict management guide for school leaders who find themselves faced with daily high-stakes interactions with staff, parents, students, and the school community. Based on the premise that challenging conversations contain the 'œfires for change', this book demonstrates how school leaders can navigate through difficult encounters in a way that ultimately promotes collaborative school culture and increases student achievement. The case studies, sample scripts, inventory checklists and other practical tools included in the book are all designed to help school leaders consistently 'œwalk the talk' that will ensure school and student success.