Leadership: Perspectives from Practice

This paper examines qualities of effective school leadership that are critical to successful educational change. The first part explores various definitions of leadership, discusses the concept of leadership versus management, and describes the challenges that school leaders face. The paper then draws on data collected from interviews with four experienced and recognized school leaders to highlight the critical issues for educational leadership today. Several factors that foster the effective leadership necessary to adaptive educational change are identified. The leaders utilized a team approach to school leadership; balanced management skills with visionary leadership; and strove to minimize bureaucratic and other structural constraints. They reported that educational change was hampered by a lack of participative decision making, team leadership, professional development, and teacher empowerment. Time constraints, parental apathy, and external social problems were also major barriers. One table is included. Contains 21 references. (LMI) Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document