Three Theories of Educational Leadersihp

This paper examined three theories of educational leadership: (1) Kouzes and Posner's (2003, pp. 3--35) model of leadership as a set of acquired disciplines; (2) Bennis and Nanus' (1997, pp. 12-32) model of leadership as a set of strategies; and (3)Bolman and Deal's (2002, pp. 5-18) model of leadership as reframing. The three models were examined in order to evaluate which model would best serve for the leadership required in adult-focused education programs. The evaluation was made by first reviewing the literature on the characteristics, qualities, and skills associated with effective leadership practices. Each model was then discussed in terms of the extent to which it focused on these well-established skills and qualities, thereby helping leaders of adult-focused programs to demonstrate leadership known to be maximally effective and successful. The model selected as the most appropriate for adult-focused educational programs was the model developed by Kouzes and Posner's (2003). Reasons as to why this model was to be considered most appropriate were discussed.

Owens (2003, p. 12) defines leadership as an ability to create an environment in which people are influenced to willingly follow a chose direction. In this regard, leadership is said to be a means of affecting the opinions and attitudes of others, leading them to make changes at both the individual and group level that are in accord with the leader's vision and goals.

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. 4. The Symbolic Frame. This is a vantage point that looks at both individual and organizational culture, rituals, and beliefs and works toward cultivating shared values and meaning in order to create a sense of meaningful work. According to Bolman and Deal (2002, p. 60), these four frames represent the different ways in which leaders perceive organizational situations, and in turn shape how these respective situations are defined and the manners in which they can be managed most effectively. The structural and human resource frames are related to managerial effectiveness, while the political and symbolic frames are related to leadership effectiveness. Bolman and Deal's (2003, p. 66) theory further assumes that a leader possessing leadership orientations applicable to all four frames will yield the most effective leadership style. In addition, the authors assert that an increasingly complex and turbulent organizational world demands greater cognitive complexity and therefore, effective leaders are required to understand multiple frames and know how to use them in practice if they are to be fully effective. A key question that can be asked with respect to the educational leadership theory advanced by Bolman and Deal (200

Category: Psychology - T