Leadership: Paradoxes of Leadership in an Age of Accountability
by John MacBeath
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Overview
The title of this in-depth article from John MacBeath refers to the clash between the policy context in which most principals currently work (that of accountability) and a contemporary rhetoric about ‘effective leadership’ that has more to do with emotional intelligence than managerialism.
He looks particularly at the differences between the corporate and the education worlds, and at the growing body of literature that points to effective and successful school leaders as being those with a, “paradoxical combination of personal humility and professional will”. He argues that the role of the leader is to create the culture, spaces and opportunities for others to take up power.
MacBeath also discusses at length the impact of accountability issues on schools and the illusion created as a result of practices adopted in reporting performance.
Reflective questions
These reflective questions might guide you in your reading of this article:
- What do you believe is the ‘myth of New Zealand education’ at the present time? What are the concepts that contribute to this myth?
- From the qualities sought in the selection of leaders in this article, identify three that you think you possess and demonstrate. Give an example of the quality ‘in action’. Now choose three qualities that you need to improve on and give examples. What goal could you set to improve one of these areas?
- Share this article with an aspiring leader at your school. What aspect of it would you want to draw their attention to?
Further reading
Dodd, J. (1999). Educational reform, accountability and the culture of distrust. New Zealand Journal of Educational Studies,34(1), 45–53.
Sachs, J. & Blackmore, J. (1998). “You never show you can’t cope”: Women in school leadership roles managing their emotions. Gender and Education, 10(3), 265–280.
References
MacBeath, J. (2003, July). Leadership: Paradoxes of leadership in an age of accountability. Paper delivered at the Sixth World Convention of the International Confederation of Principals, Edinburgh.
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