High-Leverage Leadership

1	Educational leadershipProfessional imperative or misguidedoptimism?

Introduction

It is hard to imagine a world without leaders or leadership. In one form or another there are those who are seen to be leading others by directing, influencing and organising collective effort. In most societies we look to our ‘leaders’ (whether they be religious, political, military, industrial or public servants) for guidance and inspiration. For centuries these leaders have been a cornerstone of society. The best of them are trusted, perceived to hold a strong set of values and beliefs and, perhaps most importantly, to possess unwavering integrity and humility.

During the past two to three decades the context for leadership appears to have changed at ...