MODULE 1: THEORETICAL FOUNDATIONS
Leadership Theory
Studying the theoretical foundations of leadership theory has helped me to realize that although I don’t hold a formal leadership role at school I am already a leader and use leadership strategies in a variety of situations, both in my professional and personal life. Researching situational leadership theory and transformational leadership while reflecting on my own practice has also helped me to discover some of my leadership strengths and weaknesses. It is my goal to continue to develop areas of weakness and apply what I’ve learned from research in leadership theories to help myself better prepare for informal and formal leadership opportunities.
Writing a job description for a transformational leader helped me to understand that I can have an influence and create change as a teacher leader by quitely working and motivating others through my actions. Applying these leadership skills in a practical setting to create a staff professional development session on the OCT Standards helped me to practically work through and examine how I would apply these principles in every-day practice.
Personal Reflections
I believe that there are significant similarities between effective leadership in education and in business. Leadership in any environment involves working together with a group of people, and the human element will be the same anywhere, whether it be in education, business, government, personal or family life.
The good leaders that I’ve seen exemplify many of the leadership traits, but not all. I wonder if it is possible for a leader to exhibit each one of these traits – perhaps a highly exceptional leader; one who would rate as top in the world would. I feel that many of the good and great leaders are not going to exhibit each one of these traits perfectly, and I don’t feel that it is fair for us to expect them to, either. We all have our strengths and weaknesses, but I think that the key to becoming a successful leader is to be acutely aware of them. Great leaders surround themselves with people who complement their weaknesses to create a solid team.
I started by researching successful business leaders and came across “The World’s 50 Greatest Leaders” published by Fortune. Fortune identified Bill and Melinda Gates as their top pick. This partnership highlighted how great leaders work as a team to compliment each other’s strengths and weaknesses and Bill and Melinda do just that creating a “multiplier effect.”
Bill and Melinda are transformational leaders and lead with a distinct vision. They have courage and dare to leap and look ahead to the future. They do not shy away from courageous conversations, as was evidenced when they visited the country of Nigeria. They were “not there to deliver a keep-up-the-good-speech” but to say that their country was on “a knife’s edge.” By having this courageous conversation, Bill and Melinda were able to help situate Nigeria in a position where she could make timely and effective change.
In his visit with Nigeria, Bill Gates employs a high relationship and high task structure to lead and guide them in line with the Situational Leadership Theory. The country of Nigeria exhibits a low maturity level so this leadership style works effectively to educate and equip them to begin working more independently.
In conclusion, a successful leader isn’t a leader on their own, they are part of a team, working together in harmony, complimenting each other’s strengths and weaknesses.
Bill and Melinda Gates. (n.d.). Retrieved from Fortune: http://fortune.com/worlds-greatest-leaders/bill-melinda-gates-1/
The World’s 50 Greatest Leaders. (n.d.). Retrieved June 26, 2019 from Fortune: http://fortune.com/worlds-greatest-leaders/