Leadership Models

Flexibility of a Leader

                I learned that there are diverse models of educational leadership as presented by different authors and different books on leadership. Each model has its own ways, means, styles and manners in leading people. In addition, each model has its advantages and disadvantages in application. I have the confident to say that I function as a leader in my own way especially as a teacher. As a leader I also have my own leadership style and as I examine each model of leadership I was able to identify myself as to what kind of a leader I am. I may be comfortable with the leadership styles I know well and I employ to my students nonetheless I still need to be aware and be knowledgeable to the different leadership styles that I can also submit to application in the accomplishment of my career.

            I realized that the various models of leadership should also be utilized in an appropriate time, people and circumstances that a school head may come across. This is due to the couple of reason namely individual differences, different circumstances and different state of affairs. First of all, as a leader we are dealing with different kind of people with different background and different personality. We can also deny the fact that whatever we do may it be our best but we can’t please everybody. If there are people who will agree and support to our ideals on the contrary there will also be who will disagree and not give their support. In this way, one style may be applicable to some but not to all. So there’s a need for the leader to be knowledgeable enough to the different styles and its impact to the individual differences of his/her co-workers for the leader to be effective in dealing people in order to build a good relationship. Second, it is inevitable that problems and conflicts may arise in a school system in any form of circumstance. Hence,  the different leadership styles has advantages and disadvantages a leader must be skillful enough and wise to apply suitable styles that answer the needs of any situation so that conflicts may be given a favorable solutions. Third, in a system it always involves different state of affairs which includes the teachers, students, parents, stakeholders and people in the community. For the reason that they function differently in the system, a leader must also employ different leadership styles in relating with each of the members of the system. When a school head may be able to deal with these groups of people then I presume that an adequate support will be given to the school and there is a large scale of participation from them.  Thus, a leader must be flexible to shift from one style to another for the effectiveness of his/her leadership.

            If given a chance to become a school head in the future, I think I need to have these 3 E’s that I personally consider as my guide in my preparation as a leader. The three are the following Expertise, Exposure and Experience. I consider that earning an educational management and administration degree as the enhancement of my expertise. If I may be able to acquire this degree I am certain that I will learn concepts, principles, ideas and philosophies regarding leadership and management skills. With these jewels I am confident that I can handle and carry on the responsibility entrusted to me. Nevertheless, my expertise will not be of use when I am not exposing myself to the school system and its operation. To improve on this area I need to be observant to the operation in the school which includes the school rules, policies, obligations and responsibilities that I should take part in the development and betterment of the school as a whole. But then again, expertise and exposure will not be sufficient enough for me to consider myself ready to become an effective school leader. I still need experience which may be applicable in a lower level of authority for instance as a class adviser. As an adviser to the group of students, I am sure that I can consider myself as their leader with whom they will look up to. With the little knowledge that I already acquire now about leadership I recognize that I can practice my abilities and capabilities with them for me to improve and develop my leadership skills. Finally, I am looking forward that I may be an effective leader with the help and grace of God for I am confident that I can do nothing without God at all in my life.

Management and Leadership Development

MANAGEMENT is to the BRAIN and LEADERSHIP is to the HEART

            There are distinguishing features between management and a leadership as presented by the author Tony Bush. He links leadership with change while management is seen as a maintenance activity. He also relates management to school system and paper but in contrast leadership is concern with the development of people. Management is also associated with values and purpose, on the other hand, leadership relates to the implementation or technical issues. It is the same to say that management involves the work of the brain while leadership is the feeling of the heart.

            The author also stresses the importance of the both dimensions in an organization. As I see it in administering a school it would be appropriate that a school head is not just a manager but he/she must be a good and effective leader. For the reason that school head may not be an effective in administering schools if the focus is only one dimension. One dimension for instance management cannot stand alone it should go hand in hand with the other dimension which is leadership. In a school system there are circumstances that need managerial skills of a leader to be used in the performance of his/her function.  For example in planning and controlling the various school needs and finances, since it concerns about the maintenance and money matters of the school it should be treated with outmost meticulous and judicious management for transparency and  unblemished records to be presented to the concern authorities. Conversely, when we take into account the relationship among the colleagues and the performance of each individual that somehow affects the whole school system in general. I would say this is really a problem that the school head should also look into and as possible make a favorable solution to avoid a much larger impact of the problem. In this condition, a leadership skill of a school head is highly in demand because it focuses on the relationship that somehow involves values and principles. And in an occurrence where a problem or conflict on relationship matters will not be handled or facilitated well then this may result into a more chaotic working atmosphere for it may build a gap among co-workers. In addition, I admire the concept of leadership that it involves change since we are in the new generation then it would also be fitting that in administering a school we need to incorporate change. With the idea of change somehow it would encourages the teachers to be more innovative and creative in their teaching performance which is more suitable to the needs and current trends of learning among our students of today. Consequently, there must be a balance in the development and dispense of leadership and management in administering a school.

            I have faith that to manage and lead people is an art. From the thought presented by the author, I come up to an insight that leadership and management involve skill, style and system. Skill means to comprehend varied ideas, principles and philosophies in leadership and management of people that can be possibly acquired by someone who will continue to earn a degree in school. While, style denotes personal methods, ways and means of a person to deal and handle circumstances according to his/her experience and exposure to the problem at hand. Then, system entails the manners, customs and routines on how to run a particular school considering the kind of teachers, students and stakeholders in station where a school head is assigned.

            Undeniably, in administering a school is not an easy bend it takes a lot of effort and hardwork. I may not be a school head by now, but I accept as true that I am a leader in my own function as a teacher to my students. I just hope and look forward to apply the learning that I’ve got out from this concept of Tony Bush on “Leadership and Management Development.”

Management and Leadership Development