Leadership and its styles

Leader:
A leader is an individual who guides, directs, and inspires others to achieve a shared vision
or goal. Leaders possess a combination of skills, traits, and qualities that enable them to
influence and motivate that enable them to influence and motivate others to work towards a
common objective.
Leader means Leading learning and teaching – leaders in education (particularly head teachers)
should take responsibility for raising the quality of teaching and learning and for students'
achievement. This implies setting high expectations and monitoring and evaluating the
effectiveness of learning outcomes.
 A person who holds a position of authority and responsibility.
 Someone who has the ability to inspire and motivate other.
 A person who has a clear vision and is able to communicate it effectively.
 Someone who is able to adapt to changing circumstances and navigate uncertainly.
 A person who is able to empower and develop others.
 Someone who is able to build and maintain relationships.
 A person who is able to communicate effectively and negotiate conflicts.

Roll of a Leader in Organization:

A leader is anyone who influences a group toward obtaining/achieving a particular result or
goal. Isn’t dependent on title or formal authority to leading the group or organization. An
individual who is appointed to a managerial position in any organization has the right command
& enforce obedience by virtue of the authority of his position towards their work. However he
must possess adequate personal attributes to match his authority because authority is only
potentially available to him. In the absences of sufficient personal competitive, a manger may be
confronted by an emergent leader who can challenges his role in the organization & reduce it to
that of a figurehead. However only authority of position has the backing of formal sanction. It
follow that whoever wields personal influence & power can legitimize this only by gaining a
formal position in the hierarchy with commensurate authority. Leadership can be defined as
one’s ability to get others to willingly follow. Every organization needs leaders at every level to
lead the group in the particular organization.

Definition and Impact:

When children have access to a good education, they have a higher likelihood of becoming
successful adults. The benefits of a good education include improved communication and critical
thinking skills, increased career advancement opportunities, higher income potential, and
enhanced self-reliance. However, educators often face challenges as they strive to fulfill their
mission to deliver quality education to students.
According to Public School Review, some of the most common challenges that public schools
face are insufficient budgets, too many students per teacher, student poverty, and poor student
health.
With skilled educational leadership, educators can overcome challenges with a solutions-based
approach that values innovation, inclusion, and diversity of thought. To equip themselves for this
important work, educational leaders can earn an advanced degree in education.

Education leadership:
Educational leadership—sometimes called teacher leadership—refers to an educational system
approach that unites everyone under a common goal and a core set of values. It is most closely
associated with transformational leadership, a leadership style that emphasizes positive change
and growth, and inspires workers to reach their full potential for the collective benefit of all.

Leadership applies to all levels of academia, from prekindergarten through college. Often,
principals or education directors emerge as leaders. Leadership in education typically involves
the following:
Leading by example—demonstrating a commitment to a core set of values and to students
Uniting and elevating others
Making meaningful connections with teachers, staff, students, and parents
Embracing diversity of thought by valuing the opinions, ideas, and viewpoints of others
Being solutions oriented and willing to make changes for the benefit of students and teachers
Inspiring a positive work culture that is team oriented, is inclusive, and operates with a clear
vision of the future
Demonstrating thought leadership and the ability to overcome complex challenges
When effective educational leadership is in place in a school, educators become more proficient
in their roles, students get more value out of their education, and parents and guardians actively
participate in the process.
Every year, institutions work diligently to refine their educational methods, emphasizing the
crucial role of effective educational leadership. However, for many involved in local educational
settings, the essence of ‘educational leadership’ remains ambiguous. This leadership is not just a
term; it’s a comprehensive strategy that integrates the strengths, knowledge, and commitment of
educators and parents. The ultimate aim is to not only improve the quality of education but also
strengthen the broader educational infrastructure.

Functions of Educational Leadership:

The function of educational leadership involves charting a clear vision for institutions and
driving them toward academic excellence. Leaders create nurturing environments that prioritize
holistic student development, critical thinking, and creativity.
Embracing innovation, they adapt to evolving pedagogical trends, integrating technology and
modern approaches. Moreover, they advocate for equity and inclusivity, ensuring all students
receive quality education. Through continuous professional development initiatives, leaders
empower educators, enhancing teaching efficacy. Fundamentally, educational leadership shapes,
guides, and elevates the entire educational experience.

Importance of Leadership Styles:

Leadership styles in education are essential because they allow individuals to build and utilize
their own unique skills to develop into strong leaders, and to develop other styles as they grow
professionally. A strong leader is confident and self-assured and knows how to rely on their
personal strengths and professional skills to bring out the best in those around them. Educational
leaders who recognize and employ their own specific leadership style are better able to:
Create a safe and secure school environment in which students respect their teachers and peers.
Assist teachers with classroom management, ensuring that teachers feel supported as they create
a positive learning environment for their students.
Develop effective solutions that benefit everyone in the school community, including students,
families, teachers and staff members.
Educational leadership is paramount in shaping the future of learning, fostering positive
educational outcomes, and nurturing the next generation of thinkers and doers. Effective leaders
in education not only administer and manage institutions, but also set visionary goals, inspire
educators, and create environments conducive to innovation and excellence.
LEADERSHIP STYLE:
“A leadership style is a leader's style which providing direction, implementing plans, &
motivating people towards goal. There are many different leadership styles that can be
exhibited by leaders in political, business or various other fields.”
Leadership is an abstract quality in a human being to induce others to do whatever they are
directed to do with zeal & confidence. It’s a quality or ability of an individual to influence others
to seek defined objectives enthusiastically. The leader is a force of the organization that designs,
executes, coordinates, & controls all the functions of an organization, i.e. planning, executing,
organizing, directing, & controlling.
Leadership inspires; creates confidence; helps the team mates to give their maximum for the
attainment of objectives. In a business organization, managers at all levels, by whatever name
called, are leaders because they all have subordinates whose efforts are canalized in a definite
direction. A leader gives a company the life which creates the products & innovations that it
sells. Effective leaders develop a team of effective employees, subordinates or followers, & they
together develop a more effective organization.
Peter. F. Drucker: considers leadership as a human characteristic which lifts a man’s vision to
higher sights; raises & builds his performance to higher standards, & builds man’s personality
beyond its normal limits. Leadership is an important abstract quality of the leader that sets apart
a successful organization from an unsuccessful one. Leadership is, therefore, regarded as the
process of influencing the activities of an individual towards goal achievement in a given
situation.
Teamwork is important for competitive in today's world arena, where individual perfection isn’t
as desirable as a high level of collective performance. In information based enterprises, teams are
the norm rather than the exception. Team leadership plays a critical role in fostering
commitment, responsibility, & team success. The Team leader should make sure that the proper
combine & level of skills are resident on the team. They are additionally liable for effectively
managing relationships outside the team, overcoming obstacles to success, & making leadership
opportunities for others.
Good leaders are made not born. If you have the desire & willpower, you will become a good
leader. Good leaders develop through a never ending process of self-study, education, training, &
experience.
To inspire your workers into higher levels of teamwork & cooperation, there are certain things
you should be, know, &, do. These don’t return naturally, but are acquired through continual
work & study. Good leaders are continually working & studying to improve & finding out to
boost their leadership skills; they are NOT resting on their laurels.
The leadership style of an educational leader can significantly impact the workforce in education,
influencing teacher motivation, job satisfaction, and student outcomes. Here's how different
leadership styles can impact the workforce in education
Types of Leadership Styles:

1. Transformational Leadership Style:

A leadership style that inspires and motivates
employees to achieve a shared vision and goals,
promoting innovation, creativity, and empowerment.
The transformational leadership style relies heavily
on encouragement to inspire others to do their best
and continue reaching for their goals. It is a style the
resonates with teachers, as all teachers want their
students to become the best version of themselves.
In addition to providing support and encouragement,
transformational leaders also focus on skill
development. They want to empower those around them to develop the skills and techniques
they need to reach their personal goals.
- Encourages teacher autonomy and empowerment.
- Fosters a collaborative and supportive school culture.
- Promotes innovation and creativity in teaching practices.
- Develops and mentors teachers.
- Improves teacher job satisfaction and retention.
You may be a transformational educational leader if:
 You believe in the power of a growth mindset.
 You genuinely feel that there is good in everyone.
 You enjoy developing strong relationships with those around you.
Characteristics:
- Encourages employee participation and involvement.
- Fosters a positive and supportive work culture.
- Promotes innovation and creativity.
- Develops and empowers employees.
- Encourages experimentation and learning from failures.
2. Instructional Leadership Style:
Instructional leadership is considered to be one of the most effective types of leadership styles in
education. This leadership style emphasizes the importance of providing instruction directly to
students and teachers, which is why it is most common in the education field.
An administrator who has adopted the instructional leadership style knows that teachers do not
need to be micromanaged to be effective in their classrooms. They know that they have hired
qualified and experienced teachers with the skills needed to prioritize student learning. By giving
teachers autonomy, instructional administrators earn their respect and admiration.
You may be an instructional leader if:
 You prefer looking at the larger picture.
 You enjoy focusing on student growth and development.
 You are naturally confident and open-minded.

3. Constructivist Leadership Style:

The constructivist leadership style is ideal for an educational leader because it is focused more
on empowering others to hone their critical thinking skills and come to their own conclusions,
rather than having a problem solved for them.
An administrator who is a constructivist leader is willing to let their teachers collaborate and
work together to produce solutions that benefit both students and staff members. Teachers who
enjoy working with this style of leader often transmit this same preference to their own students,
allowing them to connect and collaborate with one another as they work toward a solution to
problems. Constructivist leaders give those around them the chance to build confidence in their
decision-making skills and learn first-hand how to collaboratively work toward solutions.
In today’s educational environment, soft skill development is more important than knowledge
acquisition in many instances. As a result, the constructivist leadership style prioritizes those
skills and empowers those around you.
You may be a constructivist leader if:
 You believe that the process is sometimes more important than the outcome.
 You enjoy collaborating with others and working toward a common goal.
 You are motivated by finding innovative solutions to challenging problems.

4. Democratic Leadership Style:

A leadership style that involves employees in decision-making, encouraging participation,
empowerment, and collaboration.
Democratic leaders are particularly valuable in education, where there are many key players
working together to create an engaging learning environment for all students. The democratic
leadership style prioritizes collaboration above direction, and a democratic leader seeks feedback
before making a final decision.
A principal who adopts the democratic leadership style, for instance, is more likely to involve
teachers and staff members in the decision-making process. They will bring together diverse
groups of people with the relevant skills, information and insight to collaborate on solutions that
are best for the school community at large.
The democratic leadership style is also an ideal option for teachers. It empowers the students in
the classroom and allows them to feel as if they play a valuable role in classroom life while
providing them with practical experience participating in the democratic process.
- Encourages teacher participation and input.
- Fosters a collaborative and inclusive school culture.
- Promotes shared decision-making and ownership.
- Develops and empowers teachers.
You may be a democratic leader if:
 You enjoy working with others.
 You prefer to collaborate when it comes to decision making.
 You value engagement.

Characteristics:
- Encourages employee participation and involvement.
- Fosters a positive and supportive work culture.
- Promotes collaboration and teamwork.
- Develops and empowers employees.
- Encourages open communication and feedback.

5. Emotional Leadership Style:

Sometimes referred to as affiliate leadership, the emotional leadership style heavily considers the
feelings and needs of others in the decision-making process. It is a powerful leadership style in a
school environment in which many students and staff members are learning to manage their own
social and emotional health.
The emotional leadership style can be beneficial when managing a crisis or a stressful
circumstance, but it often has to be combined with another leadership style to be wholly
effective. This is because an individual who adopts the emotional leadership style may feel more
compelled to take a passive approach to leadership as they navigate the feelings of others. The
leader employing the emotional leadership style might also want to employ the transactional,
instructional, or transformational style as a counterpoint.
However, this leadership style can be particularly effective for teachers who are working to
manage a classroom of students. Teachers who lead with an emotional style are more likely to be
aware of how a student’s outside life is impacting their time in the classroom, and they may be
more adept at creating innovative solutions to help them thrive.
You may be an emotional leader if:
 You are self-aware and capable of regulating your emotions.
 You know how to effectively communicate with others.
 You consider yourself to be naturally compassionate or empathetic.

6. Transactional Leadership Style:

A leadership style that focuses on task-oriented goals and rewards, emphasizing efficiency and
productivity.
The transactional leadership style is a traditional approach in which the leader provides
instruction to the individuals they oversee with the promise of a reward for doing as they are
told. It is a leadership style that provides clarity, but transactional leaders must often blend their
approach with another style to be truly effective.
Transactional leadership is particularly powerful in a classroom environment. Teachers who
utilize this leadership style can manage classroom expectations by rewarding positive behavior
and punishing negative behavior.
- Focuses on accountability and standardized testing.
- Encourages competition among teachers.
- Prioritizes efficiency and productivity over creativity.
- May lead to teacher burnout and demotivation.
You may be a transactional leader if:
 You prefer to provide those around you with clear expectations.
 You are calm and controlled and prefer an orderly environment.

Characteristics:
- Sets clear goals and expectations.
- Provides rewards and recognition for achievements.
- Focuses on task completion and efficiency.
- Encourages competition and individual performance.
- May not foster long-term motivation or commitment.

7. Authoritative Leadership Style:

The authoritative leadership style is a no-nonsense approach to leadership that can be incredibly
effective under the right circumstances. An authoritative leader sets clear expectations with
defined consequences for failing to meet those expectations.
The authoritative leadership style is ideal for high-level administrators in education, such as a
superintendent or dean of students, as they have many people who rely on them to make
decisions and maintain order. Authoritative styles also work well in situations where major
change needs to occur, particularly when it relates to faculty or staff failure to perform. The
authoritative style can be used to strong effect to make meaningful change, following blending
this style with other styles once change has occurred.
You may be an authoritative leader if:
 You communicate effectively.
 You know how to delegate tasks and use persuasion.
 You have a consistent approach to leadership.

8. Servant Leadership Style:

Due to the nature of the education field, the servant leadership style is prevalent. A servant leader
is one who puts the needs of others before their own, and they feel compelled to lead to serve the
community at large.
Servant leaders are aware of when they need to act versus when they need to let others take the
reins.
You may be a servant leader if:
 You enjoy working with others.
 You commonly put the needs of others before your own.
 You believe that the community benefits when more people work together.
9. Strategic Leadership Style:
A strategic leadership style emphasizes the importance of focusing on long-term goals. A
strategic leader not only makes the best decision for today, but they also are constantly looking
to and planning for the future.
This leadership style is ideal for those in educational administration, as they are often in charge
of day-to-day operations as well as long-term growth and development.
You may be a strategic leader if:
 You have strong critical thinking skills.
 You enjoy data-based analysis.
 You effectively set and achieve both short-term and long-term goals.

10. Authoritative Leadership:

A leadership style characterized by a centralized decision-making approach, where the leader has
complete control and authority.
Authoritative leaders push their teams to pursue common goals. They balance maintaining a high
bar and inspiring their teams to success. According to Dr. Scroggins, authoritative leaders rely
heavily on strategy, using data to set high expectations and take thoughtful risks. Authoritative
leaders can also be relentless in their pursuit of meaningful growth and demonstrate
determination and resilience. In education, this means authoritative leaders may be teachers with
many years of experience or higher degrees. The National College for Teaching and Leadership
names authoritative leadership the most effective in education.
- Creates a top-down, hierarchical school culture.
- Limits teacher autonomy and decision-making.
- Fosters a culture of fear and compliance.
- Negatively impacts teacher job satisfaction and retention.

Characteristics:
- Makes decisions without employee input.
- Exerts strong control and authority.
- Focuses on efficiency and productivity.
- Can lead to resistance, rebellion, and turnover.
- Negatively impacts employee motivation and job satisfaction.
11. Laissez-faire Leadership:
This leader’s involvement in decision-making is minimal because they allow people to make
their own decisions. However, the leader is still responsible for the outcome. This leadership
style could be ineffective in a situation where employees lack drive and integrity.
- Creates a lack of direction and guidance, leaving teachers without clear goals or expectations.
- Fosters confusion and uncertainty among teachers, as they are unclear about what is expected
of them.
- Negatively impacts teacher motivation and job satisfaction, as teachers feel unsupported and
undervalued in their roles.
- May lead to poor student outcomes, as teachers are not empowered to innovate or try new
approaches.
- Can lead to a lack of accountability, as teachers are not held to high standards or expectations.
A leadership style characterized by a hands-off approach, where employees are given complete
freedom and autonomy.

Characteristics:
- Provides little guidance or direction.
- Encourages employee autonomy and independence.
- May lead to confusion, lack of direction, and poor performance.
- Negatively impacts employee motivation and job satisfaction.
- Can result in chaos and lack of accountability.

12. Pacesetting Leadership style:

Pacesetting leaders essentially focus on the practice of leading by example inside or outside the
classroom. They do it all, setting the tone of a school and inspiring other teachers by their skills,
dedication, and achievements.
13. Coaching Leadership style:
Coaching leaders take young or struggling teachers under their wings to mentor. This style of
leadership is usually time-consuming and requires much empathy and patience on the leader’s
part. However, it has significant benefits to teacher development and student academic success.

Bureaucratic Leadership Style:

An autocrat doesn’t require a bureaucracy, but the autocrat & the bureaucracy goes together like
a hand & glove. One reason has be do with obedience to authority. In fact, one can make an
argument that in large groups such as the multinational corporations & government agencies
authority is the most common type of influence used.

Charismatic Leadership Style:

Charismatic Leadership is defined by Max Weber as "resting on devotion to the exceptional
sanctity, heroism or exemplary character of an individual person, & of the normative patterns or
order revealed or ordained by him". He defines Charisma as "a certain quality of an individual
personality, by virtue of which he is set apart from ordinary men & treated as endowed with
supernatural, superhuman, or at least specifically exceptional powers or qualities. These are such
as are not accessible to the ordinary person, but are regarded as of divine origin or as exemplary,
& on the basis of them the individual concerned is treated as a leader. How the quality in
question would be ultimately judged from an ethical, aesthetic, or other such point of view is
naturally indifferent for the purpose of definition".

Participative Leadership Style:

Assumptions
Involvement in decision-making improves the understanding of the issues involved by those who
must carry out the decisions. People are more committed to actions where they have involved in
the relevant decision-making. People are less competitive & more collaborative when they are
working on joint goals. When people make decisions together, the social commitment to one
another is greater & thus increases their commitment to the decision. Several people deciding
together make better decisions than one person alone.

Factors Influencing Leadership Styles:

Personality:
One factor determining leadership style that cannot be ignored is the personality of the
individual who is in charge of a group of employees.
Company Culture:
The nature of a company's culture will influence the style of leadership used in the
establishment. If there is a strong culture of motivated & well-trained employees, the managers
can adopt a laissez faire style.
Employee Diversity;
Small businesses are hiring a more diverse workforce than in the past. A company is likely to
employ people of different races, gender, ages & cultures. Leaders must respond to this diversity
with a vision for their staff & by developing a multi-cultural approach to their work.

Communication:
Flow of information is at the core of effective leadership. While the conditions and styles of
communication change, the need to express yourself clearly in all situations remains. Regular
meetings may be difficult to implement in high-productivity manufacturing situations, and they
may be essential in collaborative workplaces.

Manage:
It is hard to manage appropriate & also external relationship removes obstacles where
appropriate.

Characteristic of a successful Leadership Style:

 Be the person other choose to follow
 Provide vision for the future
 Provide inspiration
 Make other people feel important & appreciated
 Live your values & behave ethically
 Set the pace through your expectations & example
 Establish an environment of continuous improvement
 Provide opportunities for people to grow, both personally & professionally

Conclusion:
The leadership style of an educational leader significantly impacts the workforce in education.
Effective leaders can foster a positive and supportive school culture, promote teacher autonomy
and empowerment, and improve student outcomes. On the other hand, ineffective leadership can
lead to teacher demotivation, burnout, and turnover, ultimately affecting student learning.

The key findings are:

- Transformational leadership is positively correlated with teacher job satisfaction, commitment,
and student achievement.
- Transactional leadership can also be effective, but may not foster the same level of teacher
autonomy and empowerment.
- Autocratic and laissez-faire leadership styles are negatively correlated with teacher job
satisfaction and student outcomes.
- Effective leaders adapt their style to the specific needs of their school and workforce.
- Leadership style is a significant predictor of teacher job satisfaction and student achievement.

Recommendations for educational leaders:

- Adopt a transformational leadership style to empower teachers and promote a positive school
culture.
- Develop and mentor teachers to improve their skills and knowledge.
- Foster a collaborative and inclusive school environment.
- Encourage teacher participation and input in decision-making processes.
- Be adaptable and responsive to the needs of your school and workforce.

By adopting effective leadership styles, educational leaders can positively impact the workforce
in education, ultimately improving student outcomes and the overall quality of education.

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