Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, the best leaders have often been tested and refined by the fire of crisis. School leaders, who must lead in a highly charged political environment and juggle the demands of an often polarized community, are especially vulnerable, in danger of becoming walking wounded. How a leader responds to the wounds that come from professional disaster or from a personal or spiritual crisis often defines that person's leadership. The Wounded Leader helps school leaders understand the experience of being wounded and the process of recovery so they can emerge from the crisis stronger and wiser. Through compelling stories that illustrate many of the common dilemmas faced by school leaders, the authors highlight the many paths to healing and show how even the most painful experience can be an opportunity for growth.