Leadership for the 21st Century: Breaking the Bonds of Dependency - 4 0 16; Michael Fullan; 5 (Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, 1998)
ABSTRACT : At the very time that proactive leadership is essential, principals are in the least favorable position to provide it, says Michael Fullan in this analysis and prescription for leadership. He describes two conditions-overload and vulnerability-that constrain reform-minded educational leaders, and then suggests a new mindset that can help them break through the resultant state of dependency. Realizing that there are no silver bullets that will solve school problems can be liberating, Fullan believes, because leaders then craft their own theories of change, gaining truly useful insights that apply to their unique situations. He offers four guidelines to further help educational leaders achieve success. First, respect those you want to silence-learn from your opponents and mobilize people to tackle tough problems. Second, move toward the danger in forming new alliances-work with, rather than against, such external factors as the community and state policymakers. Third, manage emotionally as well as rationally-pay attention to emotional health and put a high priority on reculturing, as well as restructuring. Fourth, fight for lost causes-understand the power of hope as a resource for strength and change.
Keywords: 2 -- 0; 6; Leadership -- Schools -- Values; 20; 2