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Exemplary Leadership - to inspire and challenge

Exemplary leadership will be required if we are to move beyond the compliance culture that so many principals have learnt to accept. Beyond the horizon is a changed world very different from today's world. The current crop of educational managers (doing 'things right' rather than the 'right things') may have themselves become 'barriers' to developing new insights. It is worth remembering that bottlenecks are always at the top!

We need leaders who passionately believe that dreams can become reality. Who believe in vision, trust, teamwork and the power of relationships. Leaders see their role as the need to create the conditions for new ideas to flourish. Leaders stand firm against forces of the 'status quo' and most of leaders all give all involved the courage to continue the quest.

'Great leaders motivate others to improve the human condition.' John Kotter Leadership expert

Leadership 'gurus' Jim Kouzes and Barry Posner analyzed the practices of successful leaders and found five common practices:

  1. They Model the Way: they establish principles concerning the way everyone should be treated. They create standards of excellence and set the example for others. They unravel bureaucracy and put up sign posts when people are unsure.
  2. They Inspire a Shared Vision: they passionately believe they can make a difference. They create an ideal and unique image of what the organization could become. Through their magnetism and quiet persuasion they enlist others in their dreams. They breathe life into their visions and get people to see exciting possibilities.
  3. They Challenge the Process: they search for opportunities to challenge the 'status quo' .They look for innovative ways and encourage risk taking.
  4. They Enable Others to Act: they foster collaboration and spirited team work. They understand that mutual respect, an atmosphere of trust and personal dignity is what sustains extraordinary efforts.
  5. They Encourage the Heart: Achieving extraordinary things is hard work. Leaders recognize contributions, celebrate accomplishments and share the rewards: they make people feel like heroes.
'If you want to build a ship, don't drum up the men to gather wood, divide the work, and give orders. Instead teach them to yearn for the vast and endless sea'.
Antoine- Marie-Roger de Saint-Exupery.



Home | Creating a Vision

Web Site:  www.leading-learning.co.nz
Email:  bhammonds@leading-learning.co.nz
Telephone: (06) 753 5714 - Fax: (06) 753 9430

© Bruce Hammonds, 24 Hursthouse Street, New Plymouth, New Zealand





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