The segments of this concept map have similarities and links that are important to painting a complete picture of effective school leadership, as these structures and concepts cannot be effective in isolation (Marzano, Walters and McNulty, 2005).
Overall this concept map demonstrates the importance of effective school leadership structure in working towards improved school culture and improved student outcomes.
Theories of Leadership:
Marzano et al., (2005) identify a number of leadership theories and styles that are present in organisations today. In analysing …show more content…
As schools become more autonomous and principals become advocates for their schools, principals are no longer just managing and implementing decisions made by others, but must make a range of decisions themselves about school vision, values, collaboration and development of people within the school (Townsend, 2011, p.100). They must work towards building a school vision and culture, invoke and build leadership capacity in others, engage in strategic planning and advocate for their schools (NSW Department of Education and Training (DET), 2006). A principal must have an effective team to work with to reach these …show more content…
In this sense we see innovation and leading change.
Innovation and Leading Change
An effective leadership team within a school promotes change and innovation. Leading change is not about disregarding or ignoring the past but learning from it and reinventing it to create new ways of doing things (Hargreaves, 2007). This aligns well with a transformational leadership approach that is focused on making tomorrow better by recognising and encouraging the efforts and performance of individuals within a team and providing a shared vision for the future that can inspire others (BBL, July 2012).
Townsend (2011, p.100) discusses the direction leadership capability is taking where there is less focus on the past and more focus on the characteristics and skills that can lead into the future. Through assembling groups and professional learning communities who have the power to lead the effort and work as a team for developing a change vision, communicating and empowering these changes and incorporating into school structure (Kotter, n.d.), schools are able to take action towards leading change for improved