Leadership Styles in Education

Hierarchical/ Instructional Leadership

or Visionary Leadership?

Hierarchical leadership styles are based on the traditional method of education that lays more emphasis in a top-down approach in which all course of action is asserted and carried out with formal authority and has little scope for participatory analysis. Here, the administrative head, namely the principal, carries out all duties of a planner, supervisor, analyst, resource allocator, etc. It is a very straightforward, with major emphasis on efficiency, control and routines. 

Transformational styles are based on the concept of working together to put in place a mechanism that will not only reap immediate benefits but future ones too. Although, most decisions are taken individually or by a small group of people, this leadership style opens the door wide for intellectual excitement, motivation through values and a shared vision by participation in leadership activities. A leader who follows transformational leadership fosters a sense of purpose and meaning to unite people for a better cause.

Contrary to the methods of instructional leadership that are traditional, the facilitative or participative leadership style, as the name suggests, refers to the involvement of the leader as well as the staff members in the process of decision making and implementation. While the hierarchical structure remains the same, it is the involvement of every member in the decision-making process that makes it different from the other leadership styles. Here, however, there is an issue of accountability, which does not lie in one hand, but may shift from person to person depending on the intensity and the outcome of the decision taken.

In the educational framework, visionary leadership plays an important role. It is defined as the creation of a vision by the leader (principal), the implementation of which is then carried out by the members of the group (teachers). The vision here may or may not be shared, in that, it may generate solely in the mind of the principal for the teachers to follow and implement, or created and developed as a group. Whatever the case, the involvement of the group at all levels is essential, so that the vision is effectively executed. Ultimately, it is the teachers who have to do so, thus involving them at the stages of planning itself is necessary.

Facilitative Leadership

In the method of instructional leadership, also known as hierarchical leadership, the principal is at the top of the ladder, where the decisions taken and actions delegated intend to promote student growth and learning. Thus, goal-setting, provision of essential resources for goal achievement, supervision of teachers, and coordination of the tasks necessary to achieve the goal come under the purview of the principal. For this leadership style in education to be successful, the principal must continually seek betterment of the entire educational system and possess a personality that will help in the implementation of the aforementioned requirements of instructional leadership.

Leadership Styles in Education

With an eye for reform, many educationists have either supported or criticized certain leadership styles, however, which style suits and works best is subjected to a matter of opinion. Educational leadership styles are based on the understanding that certain characteristics, such as physical energy and/or social interaction play a part in the way education is imparted. Effective leadership is about strengthening the performance of education leaders, primarily the educators, to improve student achievement. Hence, effective leadership is crucial for teachers and students to enhance performance at the highest level. 

Facilitative styles are very similar to the strategies used in transformational styles, but more democratic as well as interactive in practice. A facilitative educational leader works with the entire management, offering them partnership in preparing for the future, and by promoting collective ideas by being a part of the crowd, rather than being at the center. Empowering the entire education system is the primary goal of the leader practicing facilitative style.

Styles of Leadership in Education

Furthermore, while the principal may have adapted to a new way of thinking, waiting till the teachers begin to adapt themselves to this vision is important. Not everyone is ready for a change, so providing enough time to respond and adhere to it matters. In order for visionary leadership to be successful, encouragement, planning, analysis, assessment and development of the plan is essential for the vision to materialize. Simply by dreaming of a positive change that brings the educational framework into a new light, one cannot hope to realize the change. Here, it is the job of the principal to encourage this vision and ensure that it translates into a concrete reality at the grass-root level, i.e., the classroom. One may also consider visionary leadership to be a form of transformational leadership.

Even it if it is a group decision, one would consider the principal to be accountable as the leader of the educational organization. In such a case, first understanding the system, and preparing colleagues and staff members for the purpose of facilitative administration is essential. Depending on the personality and decision-making abilities of every individual, facilitative leadership can be embraced over time, and utilized as an effective leadership style. This type of leadership can definitely enhance the performance of the teachers and prepare them for future administrative roles, as well as those of students.

This is one of the rarely practiced types of leadership styles in education, because in today's day and time, a principal is expected to perform more managerial tasks than instructional tasks. Also, it has not proven very effective as it focuses only on the growth of the students, not the teachers. In education, leadership styles are meant to focus on collective growth that involve all members of the framework.

What is the purpose of developing and implementing the various leadership styles in education?

The purpose of utilizing different types of leadership styles in education is mainly to improve the quality of teaching, that of learning, and to create a unique and effective combination of both. As the competitiveness in the world of education increases, the implementation of these leadership styles becomes more and more important. The role of every individual starting from the principal, to the teachers, to the students is important and the ultimate goal remains the enhancement and upkeep of the teaching-learning relationship. The job of every individual in educational leadership, is to create the necessary conditions for teachers to develop and execute their own teaching styles and methods, in a manner that is simple and most effective for students. Also, the development of other aspects of the educational framework, such as association with external groups that facilitate better teaching and learning, the care of the infrastructure, etc. all come under the purview of educational leadership. 

Education is the best achievement an individual can attain. It is an important aspect of human life. How we receive and translate it into our daily way of life is quite largely dependent upon the way it gets passed on. Educational leadership has been studied over years to address long-standing concern of students, educators, and society as a whole. As the need to understand which style of leadership will work best, alone or in combination, it is imperative to understand these types individually in regards to their methods and what they offer.

Thank you,

God Bless!

Report in Educational leadership

Prof. Dr. Carmencita Africa

There are three leadership styles in education, which are used individually or as a versatile combination.

Ideally, everyone does possess some leadership skills that are then modified to suit the requirements of the framework and organization. Thus, for any of these leadership styles in education to be effective, bringing those inherent leadership qualities to the fore will make the necessary difference, and bring about the required change. The development of a vision, and its execution based on planning and management is what will ultimately fulfill the necessities of educational leadership, and facilitate the relationship between teaching and learning.

Summary

What works best for which institution and how it needs to be, is based on careful strategic planning and consideration of its vision. Ideally, a leader should use strategies and options flexibly to balance both; short-term and long-term goals, and above all, must serve the institutional values. To ensure that leadership style is delivered in the best manner, and the way it has been designed to be imparted by the teachers and perceived by students, policy makers and educational leaders are providing state-of-the art programs for leadership courses that help in learning to do service towards the field of education.

By: Amy O. Barbas

MAED Student

There is no denying the fact, that there is no single best way to lead and inspire in the field of education. Each educator, as well as schools, view leadership strategies differently, as certain situations, features and actions seem far more favorable than others at different levels and times.