Leadership in Education

Essay.
Introduction
The debate over whether leaders are born or made is never ending. Many people
believe that leaders are born with characters that qualifies them to lead. On the other hand,
many people believe that leaders are made by the environment and the vision that drives them
to work hard and emerge as a leader in their society. The world has known many great leaders
who have changed and influenced the world in one way or another. Having a clear vision and
being a visionary leader can be one of the way for a person to emerge as a leader. A leader is
defined as a person who is in charge of a company or an organization or even a country (Davies
et al., 2005). The difference between one leader and the other might be the style of leadership
that they use. This paper will focus on three styles of leaderships, and it will discuss their
definition, the characteristics of each style and the difference between them.

Definition and description of the leadership styles

Bureaucratic style of leadership
Leadership styles are diverse and different, and the first leadership style is the
bureaucratic style. The bureaucratic style of leadership is one of the most important formal
models that consider an organization as a hierarchical system (Bush, 2003).
The idea of the bureaucratic theory was first introduced by Max Weber, who argues that this
type of leadership is the most efficient form in management (Tomlinson, 2004). It describes a
formal organization that aims for efficiency through rational approach to management (Bush,
2003). The bureaucratic style focuses on the importance of hierarchical authority and the chain
of command associated with the hierarchy. This type of leadership style like other formal models
is goal oriented with the person in charge at the top of the hieratical pyramid. The decisionmaking process and the behavior of the staff in this style are directed by rules and regulation
instead of personal relationships. This style of leadership encourages the impersonal
relationship between the staff to limit any individuality in the decision making process (Bush,
2003). The jobs appointment in this type of leadership is based on the experience and the
qualification that a person has. The promotions in this kind of leadership also depend on the
expertise that is demonstrated by an individual.
In a school setting the teacher report to the head principal who is at the top of the
hierarchical system. According to Tony Bush (2003), all schools are bureaucracies, there are

rules governing the behavior of the members (P.45). The decisions and the goals of the schools
are always decided by the head principle in this style of leadership. Everyone in the school is
goal oriented, and they all work for the common goal. Bureaucracy style is used in schools by
many countries including China, Poland, and many others (Bush, 2003).
Collegial style of leadership
The second leadership style is the collegial and it describes a work environment where
the authority and the responsibility of the work is shared equally between the co-workers who
have a clear understanding of the aim of the institution (Bush, 2003). This type of leadership
relies on the decentralization of the authority by distributing the power or the authority away
from the center and to others (Tomlinson, 2004). This type of leadership is normative, and the
decision-making process is made through a discussion that end with the consensus of all the
members involved. The decisions that are being made are normally based on democratic
principles (Bush, 2003). The collegial style adopts a common set of values that the members of
an organization share while socializing during the training period or in the early professional
practice (Bush, 2003). Everyone involved in the decision-making process agrees on the
common goal that limits the conflict and the division in the work. The size of the decision-making
group is an essential element in the collegial style, the group must be relatively small to enable
everyone to be heard and it must consist of people who are expert in their fields (Tomlinson,
2004).
The collegial leadership style was first used in schools in the 1980s and 1990s when it
was viewed as the most appropriate style (Bush, 2003). In a school setting this type of
leadership is defined as teachers discussing and collaborating with other teachers to meet a
common target or goal (Tomlinson, 2004). The teachers hold the authority of expertise and can
be autonomous while making decisions. However, teachers must collaborate and share their
experiences to teach and learn. In this leadership style all the teachers talk and discuss their
plans and their preparation for the lessons and classroom observations are considered normal
(Bush, 2003).
Transformation style of leadership
The third type of leadership style is the transformational leadership that was introduced
by Dr. James Burns (Bush, 2003). This type of leadership emphasizes on the commitments and
capability of the members of the organization. The characters of the transformational leadership
are divided into four main characters that are labeled as the four Is (Johannsen, 2014). The

first character of this leadership style is the individual consideration that provides personal
attention to other that need it. The second is intellectual stimulation where the leader
encourages others to be involved in several brainstorming sessions. The third character is the
idealized influence where the leader is the role model for the others, and everyone is expected
to use the leader as an example. The final character is the inspirational motivation where the
leader expects high performance from everyone involved by motivating them (Bush, 2003).
This style of leadership was adopted by many scholars because it encourages the
members to perform beyond their expectations (Hoy et al., 2001). There are three basic function
that a transformative leader must have. First, the transformational leader has to always motivate
his followers in order to achieve the highest levels of performance possible by transforming their
beliefs, attitudes and values. Second, they have a charisma that sets a vision and instill trust
and pride while working. The vision of the transformational leader is what guides the members
of this leadership style. Finally, they always try to stimulate intellectual and offer it to their
followers to get the best possible results (Bush, 2003).
In the school setting, the role of the administrators is to focus their attention on facilitative
power to help the teachers in the school to reach their possible potential. The teachers and the
administrators lead by example in the school to achieve the highest result possible. In an
educational setting this type of leadership helps the teachers growth and development and it is
very effective in problem solving (Bush, 2003).
Comparing characteristics
All of the leadership styles tend to be normative ( what is accepted as normal) and can
be applied in any school setting (Bush, 2003). The leadership theories tend to be selective
which means that every theory focuses on an element at the expense of other elements for
example; the Bureaucratic focuses on rules at the expense of personal relations. Another point
that all of the leadership styles have in common is that they all are based on observations, and
then they are developed into concepts.
All of the leadership styles have their strength, but they also have their weaknesses. The
bureaucratic leadership style follows the rules strictly which could ensure that there is an
equality in opportunities. The rules and regulations in the leadership style ensure that everyone
is efficient and capable of the task at hand. The Bureaucratic style is less effective in teams and
unlike the collegial and the transformational style cannot be flexible and therefore it leaves no
room for creativity or innovation The bureaucratic style makes it hard for schools to change their
rules and adapt to the needs of society (Bush, 2003).

On the other hand, the collegial style is based on sharing and democracy that leads to
less conflict in the working space which increase the productivity of the employees. The main
focus of the collegial model is the decision-making process that only works when the group
consists of experts. Furthermore, the transformational leadership is based on the vision and the
motivation of the leader that challenge the members and make them work harder which improve
the productivity in the workplace. The leaders inspire their team members and always expect
them to be the best at what they do. Nevertheless, the followers may find it hard to follow the
leaders vision if they didnt believe in it. Administrators can struggle and find challenges in all of
the three leadership style (Davies et al., C,2005).
Reflection
In conclusion, each one of the leadership style has it strength and it weaknesses and in
my opinion it is very important to understand each style in order to determine which style works
best in different work settings. As a future teacher and possibly an administrator, I think that it is
not possible to have a perfect leadership style because there is a flaw in all of them. However,
understanding them all in detail make me think of what kind of a leader I want to be in the future.
As a teacher, I want to offer my students a support system so that they can reach and achieve
what they are capable of. I also want to offer them structures and rules to follow because
everyone needs structure. I want to be the kind of teacher who listen to my colleagues and learn
from their experiences and share my experience with them. In the end, I want to combine all of
the leadership styles and create a leadership style based on the strength of the three leadership
styles that are mentioned in this paper.

References
Bush, T. (2003). Theories of educational leadership and management (3rd ed.). London; Thousand Oaks:
Sage Publications.
Davies, B., Ellison, L., & Bowring-Carr, C. (2005). School leadership in the 21st century: Developing a
strategic approach (2nd ed.). London; New York: RoutledgeFalmer.
Johannsen, M. (2014, March 9). Types Of Leadership Styles. Retrieved Septemper 17, 2015, from
legacee: https://www.legacee.com/types-of-leadership-styles/
Hoy, W. K., & Miskel, C. G. (2001). Educational administration: Theory, research, and practice (6th ed.).
Boston: McGraw-Hill.
Tomlinson, H. (2004). Educational management. London: RoutledgeFalmer.

Leadership in Education Questions

1. Name and describe a leader that you know. What did they do to make
a positive change or have a positive influence in the world or their
community? Name three qualities that you think they have.
Mohammed bin Rashid is one of the best leaders and he is a very
unique and special in everything. He made a lot of changes and he
always looking for change as positive, he is very inspiring person. He
develop Dubai a lot in terms on many sectors; such as he develop the
police system and education system. He has three qualities that made
him very powerful person which is good listener, always want to
develop and very inspiring person and always encourage the people.
2. Read the student essay Leadership in Education and answer the
questions.
I. What are the 3 styles of leadership presented in the essay?
Bureaucratic style of leadership
Collegial style of leadership
Transformation style of leadership
II.

The essay states The bureaucratic style of leadership is one of the most
important formal models that consider an organization as a hierarchical
system (Bush, 2003). Explain the meaning of hierarchy in your own words.

Hierarchy is like a pyramid and it means the person at the top always
have the power and the authority to do anything her/she want.
Moreover, the person at the top just giving rules and orders to the rest
of the individuals under him/her and they have to follow with taking
their opinions.
III.

Who is at the top of the hierarchy in a school?

The principal is the top of the hierarchy in a school.

IV.

The bureaucratic model has the main aim of oriented with the person
in charge at the top of the hieratical pyramid

V.

What is a chain of command in a school?

It means the principal have knowledge and gives rules and orders and
other stakeholders have to follow.

VI.

Explain a Collegial style of leadership in your own words.

A collegial style is spreading the power among the stakeholders in the
school and they always discuss every aspect related to the school. This
style is very socialize and take and accept opinions of other.

VII.

The essay states This type of leadership (Collegial) relies on the

decentralization of the authority by distributing the power or the authority
away from the center and to others (Tomlinson, 2004). Explain what this
means when applied to a school and give one example.

It means that this type of leadership spreading the power; for example,
they giving small jobs for the teachers to do and discuss with them
about it and they make the teachers as leaders; they have to lead the
school and discuss and share their opinions and what they think.
VIII.

What are the characteristics of Transformational Leadership?

The first character of this leadership style is the individual

consideration that provides personal attention to other that need it.
The second is intellectual stimulation where the leader encourages
others to be involved in several brainstorming sessions. The third
character is the idealized influence where the leader is the role model
for the other. The final character is the inspirational motivation where
the leader expects high performance from everyone involved by
motivating them.
IX.

What are the three qualities described that a Transformational Leader must
have?

X.

Motivate his followers

Charisma that sets a vision
Always try to stimulate intellectual

Considering transformational leadership, the essay presents the idea that

The teachers and the administrators lead by example in the school to
achieve the highest result possible. In an educational setting this type of
leadership helps the teachers growth and development and it is very
effective in problem solving (Bush, 2003). In your opinion is this an
important focus for schools? Explain?

Yes, it is very significant because schools should focus in developing

teachers and always looking for growth and improvement to keep
peace with the changing in the country.

XI.

Complete the tables that shows 3 strengths of each leadership

model.
Bureaucratic
Collegial
Transformational
Leadership
leadership
leadership
follows the rules strictly
All work toward common goal

effective in teams

effective in teams

Flexible

Stimulate and motivate

people
Inspiring

sharing and democracy

3. In your opinion do you think it is possible for aspects of all three

leadership styles to be used in a school in UAE? Explain your reasons
and give examples to justify.
4.
I personally believe, that three styles of leaders are important to use
because the schools are vary. The first style which is Bureaucratic and
it can be used with schools who not following the rules so if they hire a
bureaucratic leader the teacher and other stakeholders will be
following the rules and be organized. The second one is collegial and it
could be used with schools who have creative ideas and willing to
share and very collaborative so when collegial leadership came she/he
can control the school well. The transformational leader can be used in
schools who need to be changed and transformed due to changes to
the country.