Leadership in Three More Words: The Art and Science of Educational Leadership with Heart in Mind

Leadership isn't just a strategy. It's a relationship.

Five years after the success of Leadership in Three Words, Dr. Michelle McQueen-Williams returns to the conversation with three more words that redefine the essence of educational leadership: reach before teaching. In this powerful follow-up, she blends research, personal experience, and the wisdom of years spent in classrooms, hallways, and leadership meetings to reveal a fundamental truth-students and educators alike thrive when connection precedes content.

Drawing from the latest educational research and deeply personal stories, McQueen-Williams explores the intersection of science and heart, demonstrating why engagement, empathy, and presence matter just as much as pedagogy and policy. Whether discussing the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the urgency of preserving critical education funding, or the simple moments that make lasting impressions-she makes a compelling case for leadership with the heart in mind.

Packed with practical insights and real-world applications, this book is a call to action for educators, administrators, and leaders at every level. It challenges readers to rethink leadership as an art of investment, where trust, relationship-building, and grace transform classrooms and communities.

If you believe in the power of education not just to instruct but to uplift, this book is for you. Are you ready to lead with heart?