The Empowering Principal: Leadership Behaviors Needed by Effective Principals as Identified by Emerging Leaders and Principals

This qualitative study was designed to provide insight into effective behaviors and competencies of building principals in which leadership is broadly shared under the concept of empowerment. Principals and teacher leaders responded to five essential questions regarding what works, what does not work, the incentives, and the costs of principal leadership behaviors under empowerment paradigms. Emergent themes of principal behaviors were identified from two perspectives, that of practicing principals and that of emerging teacher leaders. This study provides helpful information to principals who are unsure to how to help emerging teacher leaders to develop as leaders. In addition, this study adds to the body of knowledge on the topic of the organizational value of successful empowerment models in that it provides insight into giving equal attention to both process and outcomes, developing a culture of empowerment, and valuing leadership development as transformational. While there is little disagreement about the vital role played by teachers in American society, limited attention has been given to providing teachers with the opportunity, training, and support needed to become more autonomous and empowered in assuming their professional responsibilities. Too ofte