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

school leadership

SCHOOL LEADERSHIP

             It is believed that a school is like a system of a whole body where the school head/principal is the head. Without a leader a system will not functions well. It would then be like a flock without a shepherd or a ship without a captain or an airplane without a pilot since a leader will serve as a direction. Therefore, managing a school is not an easy bent because of its large scale of control that a leader needs to think carefully about. The effectiveness of the school head can be manifested by the totality of the performance of the school system. If a school performs well then it follows that a school is being manage by an effective leader.     The implication of an effective school leader to the system is really very essential.  If the leader is skilled in dealing with his/her followers then together as one they will achieved the desired success of the school.

            All over the world, school leadership has become a priority in education policy agendas. It plays a key role in improving school outcomes by influencing the motivations and capacities of teachers, as well as the school climate and environment. Effective school leadership is necessary to improve the efficiency and equity of schooling. As our country is seeking to adapt educational systems that meet the needs of contemporary society we have moved towards decentralization, making schools more independent in their decision making and holding them more responsible for outcomes. Research has shown that school leaders can make a difference in school and student performance if they are granted independence in making important decisions. However independence alone does not guarantee improvements unless it is well supported. In addition, it is important that the core responsibilities of school leaders be clearly defined and delimited. School leadership responsibilities should be defined through an understanding of the practices most likely to improve teaching and learning.

            School leadership to be more effective should promote and implement change and a leader is someone who could bring about change in a school. It also follows that a leader is a risk taker who is not afraid to welcome and go for innovation with a unified vision that geared towards the betterment of the school. As Manasse, 1986 puts it, to actively change an organization; leaders must make decisions about the nature of the desired state."Leadership requires vision. It is a force that provides meaning and purpose to the work of an organization. Leaders of change are visionary leaders, and vision is the basis of their work. “They begin with a personal vision to forge a shared vision with their coworkers. Their communication of the vision is such that it empowers people to act. Their vision of their school or district provides purpose, meaning, and significance to the work of the school and enables them to motivate and empower the staff to contribute to the realization of the vision.

            The relationship between the teachers' and administrators' vision is important. Administrators' vision tends to encompass the whole system or as described by Manasse (1986) their vision is an organizational vision. Teachers' vision appears to focus primarily on the individual or personal actions for school change. However, to closely examine teachers' and administrators' visions this may reveal that both groups of educators are looking at the same vision but attending to different aspects. School administrators that have developed a shared vision with their faculty have also created common ground that serves to facilitate or compel action to the realization of this common vision. Frequently underlying a shared vision are teachers' and administrators' shared values and beliefs, specifically believing that schools are for students' learning. Shared vision could possibly a great way to the fulfillment of the common goal of the school they may function differently according to their abilities and respective obligations but geared towards their unified goal or target. If only the school head would have this kind of mentality in leading the school which foster concern to the welfare of the students then our educational system would make a difference.

my self

Me as a LEADER

Me as a leader

               As I see myself as a leader I come across to an idea that there are still many things that I need to know and learn for me to become a good and effective leader.

                 According to Lisa Dewey in her five qualities of a good leader she states that a leader is someone who helps others do and become more than they ever thought possible. Leadership is about unlocking potential, whether individual potential or that of a group, company, or organization. It is not about telling people what to do, but inspiring them to see what they are capable of, then, helping them get there. Therefore, I need to inspire other people especially my students for them to make use of their potentials and shine according to their own inclination.

                 It is being said that a leader is useless without followers; I also learned that our followers is very important in our being a leader. In addition, we need to attract followers who will follow us and share with our aspirations and dreams with common goal to achieve success. However, it is also important to take into account on the part of the leader to give its followers the assurance and confidence of one’s leadership in such a way they will be enabled and empowered to do their part in the fulfillment of the group’s target.

                 I also learned that good communicative skills play an important role to a leader because it is a tool for him to bridge the gap between its followers. Without a good communication processes in an organization a healthy relationship between the leader and the followers could be very impossible to happen.

                 From the Seven Qualities of a Good Leader presented by Barbara White the first quality she mentioned is that a good leader has an exemplary character. It is of utmost importance that a leader is trustworthy to lead others. A leader needs to be trusted and be known to live their life with honestly and integrity. A good leader “walks the talk” and in doing so earns the right to have responsibility for others. True authority is born from respect for the good character and trustworthiness of the person who leads. I then realized that sound value system is essential to a good leader since it is an aid for a leader to gain respect from its followers. Therefore, I need to check every now and again my value system whether it is anchored to morality and what is expected of me as a leader or as a teacher.

                 Deep inside me I know that I have the qualities of being a good leader but I also have my weaknesses that somehow hinders me and my group to achieved our desired goals. To mention of my weaknesses are; I lack time management, I am easily discouraged with failures and I am also easily get irritated with the unpleasant behavior of my members/followers. These are the things that I need to work out with in order for me to become an effective leader. Indeed, being a leader is not as an easy  responsibility but eventually with the great determination the qualities of being a good leader can be learned in due time only if am open to changes, I will have the determination to change and I am willing to accept corrections for me to improve my skills in leading people.