1.2.

Theories of Educational Leadership

a. Transformational Leadership
Overview: Transformational leadership emphasizes inspiring
and motivating followers to achieve their highest potential and
exceed their own expectations (Bass & Riggio). Leaders who
adopt this style focus on creating a vision for the future,
fostering an environment of trust and respect, and encouraging
innovation and creativity. Transformational leadership in
education focuses on inspiring and motivating educators and
students to achieve higher levels of performance and
engagement by creating a compelling vision and fostering an
environment of support and innovation.

Characteristics:
• Visionary Leadership: Leaders articulate a compelling
vision of the future and inspire others to commit to this vision.
• Individualized Consideration: Leaders provide
personalized support and mentoring to help followers grow and
develop.
• Intellectual Stimulation: Leaders encourage creativity
and critical thinking, challenging the status quo and promoting
problem-solving.
• Inspirational Motivation: Leaders use enthusiasm and
optimism to motivate and energize their followers.
Application in Education: Transformational leaders in
education focus on teaching and learning by prioritizing
instructional quality and student achievement, engage in data-
driven decision-making using data to inform instructional
strategies and interventions and enhance professional
development by providing ongoing training and support for
teachers.

b. Transactional Leadership
Transactional leadership is based on a system of rewards and
punishments to manage performance and achieve specific goals.
It emphasizes efficiency and order through structured processes
and clear expectations.
Characteristics:
• Contingent Reward: Providing rewards for meeting
performance goals or completing tasks.
• Management by Exception (Active): Actively
monitoring and intervening to correct deviations from standards.
• Management by Exception (Passive): Intervening only
when performance falls below the expected standards.
Application in Education: In educational settings,
transactional leaders set clear performance targets for teachers
and students, implement a reward system for achieving
academic and behavioral goals and monitor compliance with
school policies and procedures.

c. Servant Leadership
Overview: Servant leadership prioritizes the needs and well-
being of others over the leader’s own interests. Leaders who
practice this style focus on serving others, prioritizing their
needs, and fostering their personal and professional growth.
Characteristics:
• Empathy: Leaders show understanding and addressing
the needs and concerns of others.
• Listening: Leaders actively listen to the needs and
suggestions from team members.
• Healing: Leaders seek to address and alleviate the
personal and professional challenges faced by their followers.
• Stewardship: Leaders take responsibility for the well-
being and development of others for their growth and
development.
Application in Education: Servant leaders in schools might
focus on creating a supportive and nurturing environment,
actively listening to the needs of teachers and students,
encouraging open communication and feedback and providing
resources and support to help everyone succeed.

d. Distributed Leadership
Overview: Distributed leadership emphasizes the idea that
leadership is a shared responsibility distributed across various
members of an organization, rather than being centralized in a
single leader.
Characteristics:
• Collaborative Approach: Leadership roles and
responsibilities are shared among multiple individuals.
• Empowerment: Team members are empowered to take
on leadership roles and contribute to decision-making processes.
• Collective Responsibility: Success is viewed as a
collective effort rather than the result of individual actions.
 Application in Education: Distributed leadership in schools
might involve teachers taking on leadership roles in curriculum
development, peer mentoring, or school improvement initiatives,
with the principal acting as a facilitator rather than the sole
decision-maker.

e. Instructional Leadership
Overview: Instructional leadership focuses on improving the
quality of teaching and learning by emphasizing the importance
of instructional practices and curriculum development.
Characteristics;
• Focus on Curriculum and Instruction: Leaders prioritize
enhancing the quality of teaching and learning.
• Professional Development: Leaders provide ongoing
training and support for teachers to improve instructional
practices.
• Data-Driven Decision Making: Leaders use data to
inform decisions related to curriculum and instructional
strategies.
Application in Education: Instructional leaders in schools
might work on implementing effective teaching strategies,
analyzing student performance data to identify areas for
improvement, and supporting teachers through professional
development opportunities.

e. Ethical Leadership
Overview: Ethical leadership is centered around the principles
of integrity, fairness, and respect. Leaders who practice ethical
leadership ensure that decisions and actions align with ethical
principles and promote a positive organizational culture.
Characteristics:
• Integrity: Leaders act with honesty and transparency.
• Fairness: Leaders make decisions that are just and
equitable.
• Respect: Leaders treat others with dignity and
consideration.
Application in Education: Ethical leaders in education
might focus on creating a positive and respectful school culture,
making decisions that prioritize the best interests of staff and
students, and ensuring that all stakeholders are treated fairly
and with respect. Also, addressing ethical issues and conflicts in
a transparent and constructive manner.

f. Situational Leadership
 Situational leadership asserts that effective leadership depends
on the specific situation and requires adapting leadership style
to the needs of followers and the context.
Characteristics:
• Adaptive Leadership: Adjusting leadership style based
on the readiness and capability of followers.
• Directive Behavior: Providing clear instructions and
guidance when necessary.
• Supportive Behavior: Offering support and
encouragement to foster development.
Applications: Situational leaders tailor leadership approaches
to different situations and team needs, adjusting leadership
strategies based on staff experience and competence and
providing appropriate levels of direction and support as required.

READING MATERIAL
1
Amanchukwu, R. N., Stanley, G. J., & Ololube, N. P. (2015). A review of
leadership theories, principles and styles and their relevance to educational
management. Management, 5(1), 6-14.
[Link]
%20OF%[Link]

Bass, B.M., & Riggio, R.E. (2005). Transformational Leadership