Blog 1<\/p>\n
Change Makers<\/p>\n
ldrs501<\/p>\n
Post 2.1<\/p>\n
ET2<\/p>\n
How does Transformational Servant Leadership affect the development of strategic leadership directions in educational organization?<\/strong><\/p>\n Transformational Servant Leadership (TSL) is a form of strategic leadership; the two forms of leadership work in sync with each other.\u00a0 TSL supports the development of strategic leadership in educational settings in succinct ways.<\/p>\n First, TSL leaders are visionaries (George, Page and Williaume, 2018).\u00a0 As visionary leaders, they look ahead and see what needs to be done. \u00a0Not only do they see the next steps but they also motivate others to surpass their expectations (George et al., 2018). \u00a0Likewise, according to the literature, \u201cvisioning is a strategic thinking skill\u201d (Hughes, Beatty and Dinwoodie, 2014, p.77). \u00a0Strategic leaders also keep an eye on the future, planning and visualizing their hopes and dreams. Hugh et al., point out \u201chaving a vision is about seeing something. The greatest visionaries are those who are able to paint a picture of a more desirable future\u201d (p.65). Vision is preeminent to strategic thinking and it is also a character trait of transformational leaders (George, Page and Williaume, 2018 and Hughes et al., 2014).<\/p>\n In education for example, educators are constantly keeping an eye on where students are currently, where they are in their unit and gauging how many more classes are needed before students are ready to be tested and move on. \u00a0At the same time educators are also thinking about the big picture and where they hope their students will arrive by the end of the unit and by the end of the school year. \u00a0Teachers must prepare unit plans in advance of teaching the unit and course outlines in September to help navigate both students and parents with what is expected.\u00a0 Educators are strategic thinker\u2019s constantly thinking about the school\u2019s future while at the same time observing individual student\u2019s potential and gently prompting them in the right direction.<\/p>\n Moreover, Hays (2008) (as cited in George et al., 2014) asserts that \u201cTSL changes the role of teacher in relationship with students from one of teacher as authority, director, wielder of power, and one who has the last say to teacher who serves students and society: who gives them voice, puts their welfare before self, and serves the interests of learning\u201d (p.13).\u00a0 Evidently TSL has a tremendous effect on strategic leadership in educational settings. \u00a0The TSL leader has the best interests of her\/his students at heart and is constantly working within certain parameters to ensure students are being built up and prepared to achieve their goals. \u00a0TSL leaders strategically lay aside their own agenda in order to help realize the goals of their students.<\/p>\n Second, TSL leaders are also adept at change (George et al., 2018). George et al., contend that TSL educators have a \u201cdeepened appreciation for change\u201d (p.13). \u00a0Scholars Hughes et al., (2014) note strategic leaders find value in reframing (p.83). \u00a0They go on to say while some people have a \u201cpreference for methodical and cautious change\u201d others prefer \u201cchange that is more expansive and immediate\u201d (p.83).\u00a0 Being aware of how one reacts to change can help forecast a person\u2019s penchant for seeing things differently\u201d (p. 83).<\/p>\n Lastly, George et al.\u2019s, (2014) research acknowledged that servant teachers have \u201cunderstandings that transcend the classroom and make the risk worthwhile\u201d (p.13). \u00a0In the same way, according to Hughes et al., (2014) strategic leaders \u201chelp create a shared understanding\u201d (p.84). \u00a0Administering a common understanding of their vision and mission helps propel these educational leaders in the right direction (Hughes et al.,).<\/p>\n What are the benefits of keeping servant leadership as a central focus in the use of the strategic leadership principles outlined in the principles of Strategic Leadership in the \u201cPersonal Learning and Leadership\u201d Learning Activity, the tools outlined in the Hughes, Beatty and Dinwoodie text (pp. 52 \u2013 103) and the various pre and week 1 reading materials in education?<\/strong><\/p>\n There are numerous benefits for keeping servant leadership a central focus while applying the strategic leadership principles.<\/p>\n Claar, Jackson and TenHaken (2014) believe \u201cservant leadership offers the potential to positively revolutionize interpersonal work relations and organizational life\u201d (p.48). \u00a0The positive attributes of servant leaders like \u201chumility, empathy, and agape love\u201d are warm, cozy and inviting (p.48). Imagine working in such an environment where there is just kindness and self-less acts of love?<\/p>\n Goleman, Boyatzis and McKee (n.d.) assert that leaders who are positive and control their emotional intelligence \u201cbring out everyone\u2019s best\u201d (p. 1). \u00a0To further the point, great leaders are often attributed with being able to \u201cignite our passion and inspire the best in us\u201d (p.1). \u00a0These leaders have been able to harness their emotions and therefore are able to \u201cdrive the emotions of those they lead in the right direction\u201d (p.1).<\/p>\n Furthermore, Goleman et al., (n.d) contend that when people feel good, they work at their best; it lubricates mental efficiency\u201d (p.2). \u00a0Not only does it work as a healing salve but as Goleman et al., also point out \u201cpositive people can change our very physiology and our emotions\u201d (p.2).<\/p>\n Servant leadership would therefore bring about more engagement from staff (Hughes et al., 2014, p.56).\u00a0 Staff would feel loved and appreciated. \u00a0They would be encouraged to emulate their servant leader and would thus start performing at a higher level.<\/p>\n Servant leaders would create followers who would in turn transform the entire school into a caring place. \u00a0This would trickle down to the students who would become over time changed as well.<\/p>\n At staff meetings, there would be more participation and open-ness to experimenting with the new curriculum.\u00a0 Negativity, pride, selfishness and gossip would all flee. \u00a0If servant leadership were the central focus of strategic leadership in schools, there would be a new revolution.<\/p>\n One critical thinking principle I think is helpful in tying the principles of critical thinking with transformational servant leadership in the development of organizational strategies in an educational organization is to think about the Big Picture: <\/strong><\/p>\n Think Big Picture<\/em><\/p>\n I think it is wise to look at information presented and expand the view. Taking a look at the Big Picture helps one understand where the grassroots ideas originate. Transformational servant leadership (TSL) offers something which benefits many and in a Christian school setting it makes sense to instill these Christian values to the next generation.<\/p>\n The foundational base of transformational servant leadership lies in Jesus\u2019 teachings as well as the writings of Robert Greenleaf (George et al., 2018). \u00a0I wonder if there would be much buy-in from the public school system, especially when someone highlights TSL\u2019s Christian origins. Currently, in public school education, there is a significant movement to support other causes (ie. SOGI) which goes completely against Christian values. Why then would something with a Christian foundation be warmly embraced in our educational system? How would this be packaged and sold to public universities and teacher training programs?<\/p>\n Furthermore, it is my understanding that to emulate transformational servant leadership is something that can only naturally occur within a human when they have become born again. However, even born again Christians struggle to emulate Jesus\u2019 humble servant-like attitude all the time. \u00a0I know that I am far off from being a bonafide servant leader.\u00a0 I struggle with my flesh all the time and far too often think about meeting my own needs and wants before others.\u00a0 How much harder then, for those who are not being led by the Holy Spirit to emulate Christ. Therefore, I think TSL is a great strategy to implement in educational settings and would work best in a Christian school environment where all teachers are at least on the same page and the Christian school community would rise up and eagerly support with little or no backlash. \u00a0For Christians working in the secular public school system, by nature they can promote TSL but should not expect all their colleagues to practice it, as I believe this would be futile if they do not have a personal relationship with Jesus.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n References<\/strong><\/p>\n Aveyard, H., Woolliams, M., & Sharp, P. (2015). A Beginner\u2019s Guide to Critical Thinking and<\/p>\n Writing in Health and Social Care. Maidenhead: McGraw-Hill Education.<\/p>\n Atha, D. L. (Ed.), Castellon, A., George, I., Laird, P., Mitchell, K., Page, D., Peregrym, D.,<\/p>\n Strong, H., Willaume, D., Wollf, R., Wu, T. (2018) MA leadership and MA in educational leadership monograph 2018. Unpublished manuscript. Trinity Western University: Langley BC.<\/p>\n Claar,V., Jackson, L., & TenHaken, V. (2014) Are servant leaders born or made? Servant<\/p>\n Leadership: Theory & Practice, 1, (1), 46-52. http:\/\/www.sltpjournal.org\/uploads\/2\/6\/3\/9\/26394582\/5_claar_et_al_-_print_v1_i1_2.pdf<\/p>\n Goleman, D., Boyatzis, R., & McKee, A. (n.d.). Primal leadership realizing the power of<\/p>\n emotional intelligence. Retrieved October 8, 2018, from https:\/\/acarthustraining.com\/documents\/Primal_Leadership-by_Daniel_Goleman.pdf<\/p>\n Hughes, R. L., Beatty, K. C., & Dinwoodie, D. L. (2014). Becoming a strategic leader your role<\/p>\n in your organization’s enduring success (2nd ed.). San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Blog 1 Change Makers ldrs501 Post 2.1 ET2 How does Transformational Servant Leadership affect the development of strategic leadership directions in educational organization? Transformational Servant Leadership (TSL) is a form of strategic leadership; the two forms of leadership work in sync with each other.\u00a0 TSL supports the development of strategic leadership in educational settings in … <\/p>\n