Including the directive, participative, distributive, and collaborative theories. The Directive approach is very seldom used in my educational setting, but never the less has been used. This approach is considered to be autocratic in nature. When school administrators choose this style, their presence is known and felt throughout the learning environment. School administrators using the directive or autocratic approach exhibit a direct authoritarian behavior, thus creating a climate of fear and Intimidation amongst teachers and stakeholders throughout the learning environment.
When school administrators use this style there is little to no elaboration in the decision making process, directives are the order of the day and employees are micromanaged, giving them little to no autonomy in their day-to-day routines. In a recent study conducted by Teaches in 2010, her findings revealed that teachers were more stressed when principals leadership style was autocratic, while under democratic leadership style, teachers had lower stress.
This approach Is highly structured in a learning environment, but extremely ineffective in creating a positive trust based culture within followers, which is a key factor in creating a professional learning community. The Participative approach has also been used In my educational environment. This approach is considered to be democratic in style. When using this approach the administrator allows followers to participate and be Involved In the decision making process concerning any trends or Issues affecting our students and/or stakeholders.
This approach allows followers to provide pertinent and relevant information to school administrators that they may lack or be unaware of when making a critical decision concerning or affecting the learning environment. Using this approach assists school administrators in making an informative decision paving complete and adequate information available to them. However, it is the responsibility AT ten cocoons malnutrition to make ten Tall calicles. I Nils approach makes subordinates feel valued, respected and provides them with an opportunity to view themselves as equals, regardless of Job title or position.
Furthermore, participation generates significant opportunities for the subordinates satisfying his/ her self -respect and hence encourages leading towards organizational goals (Gullah, 2011). Moreover, when implementing this style in a learning setting, individuals become less competitive with one another and more collaborative in tauter in accomplishing the school’s vision and attaining the district’s educational goals. Effective communication from the school administrator and followers is essential for this style to be successful.
Expectations need to be clearly stated and communicated by the administrators to avoid misunderstandings. Another theory displayed by my administrator in my school setting has been the distributive approach. Using this approach, we as teachers are being asked by our administrator to increase our participation in the decision-making process concerning academic trends, needs, and/or school issues. Furthermore, we are provided with the opportunity to lead various aspects of administrator roles. In a way, we are becoming leaders in our own right, while gaining invaluable experience assuming a leadership role.
A distributed view of leadership incorporates the activities of the multiple individuals in a school who work at monopolizing and guiding a school’s staff (Spillage, Halverson, ; Diamond 2004). When implementing this style in a learning environment administrators face a challenge in achieving a balance of mandating the behavior of followers and empowering them simultaneously. For this approach to be successful it is pertinent that the administrator understands the capacity and skill set of its subordinates. This style can be highly ineffective if followers do not poses the required skill set needed to maximize leadership role.
Furthermore, it is imperative that the administrator encourages two-way communication and fosters a positive trust based culture in a learning environment, for followers to have an opportunity to express their opinions freely concerning any issues or concerns that may arise. When using this method, it is important that followers feel safe and cure, without fearing any sense of reprisal when voicing their opinions, especially about a concern or issue affecting the learning environment. The last thing an administrator wants is for a follower to sugarcoat an issue or filter his/her actual feelings concerning an issue or trend.
It is crucial to identify the problem and find a solution to it quickly and efficiently. A fourth educational theory that is displayed by my administrators and implemented within my school setting is the collaborative approach. By far this is the most popular style displayed in my school setting. This leadership style is considered to be democratic. In essence, this leadership style has similarities with the participative style. Using this approach, it is critical that administrators become effective communicators, while fostering a collaborative learning environment amongst stakeholders.
Effective communication and collaboration are key components when using this method. Using this leadership approach administrator’s main goal is to lead a school that becomes a community of learners and leaders. Implementing a collaborative approach, responsibilities are shared amongst administrators and followers. Successful organizations depend on multiple sources of leadership…. Rather than assuming a hierarchical leadership structure, ten principal flews teachers Ana toners In ten cocoons as potential leaders for various key functions that ensure the school’s success (Child’s-Bowen, Miller, and Scrivener 2000).
Applying this method in a school setting, followers and administrators collaborate and discuss possible solutions to problems or concerns affecting or might disturb the school’s learning environment, thus creating a collaborative-shared decision-making process amongst individuals. As with the participative theory, when this style is used followers feel valued, respected and part of a cohesive organization, which believes in self-empowerment rather than power. To this day, there is no one educational theory that will guarantee success for a school leader.
However, to be effective in today’s educational system, the administrator needs to display and implement a democratic approach, one that eliminates fear out of the learning environment and fosters a community of learners who are willing to collaborate on all major trends, issues and needs affecting student learning and the school’s environment. As administrators, it is vital that when implementing a leadership style or it to be a positive factor in fostering a positive school culture that enhances the teaching and learning process for students and teachers.
