Abstract
Purpose. The purpose of this study was to identify the crisis leadership practices utilized by school principals in relation to Schoenberg's crisis leadership model in comprehensive high schools in Riverside, Los Angeles, and Orange Counties in Southern California. Methodology. This study utilized a qualitative multiple-case studies design. The population for this study was composed of 6 comprehensive high school principals in Riverside, Los Angeles, and Orange Counties in California with at least at least 2 years of experience as a high school principal. The researcher asked 7 semistructured interview questions designed and tested by the researcher that were developed from the 4 research questions in this study. These questions asked participants to share their actions and behaviors that they found effective as they led their school during a crisis. Findings. Examination of qualitative data from participants identified the following major findings: Information and experience were recognized by participants as being the most effective of Schoenberg's 4 external influences (information, external conscience, preparation, experience); an area of development, identified by the researcher as other external influences, was developed out of the data; communication was found to be widely used by participants during all phases of a crisis; participants identified various effective actions and behaviors that built trust before, during, and after a crisis. Conclusion. The study data supported the following conclusions: Information and experience were identified as being the most effective external influences of Schoenberg's crisis leadership model; open dialogue, candor, transparency, empathy, and honest communication were recognized as behaviors that build trust in all phases of a crisis; and communication was found to be widely used by participants throughout all phases of a crisis. Recommendation. Further research is recommended to replicate the study in a larger geographical area to include multiple affluent and poor school districts. A second recommendation would be to conduct a quantitative study. A third recommendation would be to conduct a study on personal attributes/values of Schoenberg's crisis leadership model. Lastly, a recommendation would be to conduct a similar study with school district superintendents regarding crisis management at the district level.