Objective: This article introduces the prospective leader to a set of questions and relevant leadership literature that aid in the process of deciding whether to accept a leadership position. Method: The author conducted a review of literature and discussion with leaders in psychiatry and other medical disciplines. Results: The questions posed and…

Comments on the six articles contained in the special issue of the American Psychologist (January 2007) devoted to leadership, written by W. Bennis (see record 2006-23492-002); S. J. Zaccaro (see record 2006-23492-003); V. H. Vroom and A. G. Yago (see record 2006-23492-004); B. J. Avolio (see record 2006-23492-005); R. J. Sternberg (see record…

This paper provides presidents and academic leadership with a body of literature that will strengthen the leaders' understanding of the unique behaviors and characteristics that are paramount to successful fund raising in the academic arena. A better understanding of transformational, transactional, and transformative leadership theory, and the…

In the United States, women are increasingly praised for having excellent skills for leadership and, in fact, women, more than men, manifest leadership styles associated with effective performance as leaders. Nevertheless, more people prefer male than female bosses, and it is more difficult for women than men to become leaders and to succeed in…

In this study, the reasons why men and women behave differently in leadership roles in schools were investigated because of recent research on the indirect nature of the school principal's impact on learning and on gender differences in leadership behaviors. Practicing principals (109 males, 172 females) from two Southwestern states were surveyed…

Over the years, the author has participated in many gatherings where business leaders have been invited to provide educational leaders with advice regarding the way they should lead their schools. Some of these events proved satisfying, but others proved disastrous. In this article, the author argues that it is a mistake to invite business leaders…

Post secondary education leaders and administrators are currently facing two separate but inter-related trends: the growth in online education, and the significant increase in adjunct (part-time) faculty. In order to maximize the educational quality and institutional effectiveness, education leaders must develop an approach that levers the…

In this article, Grint's model of leadership is used to shape discussions of how "problems" are responded to in the context of a preschool in an Australian regional town. Authority styles are described as command, management, or leadership. These authority styles result in approaching problems as "crises," "tame…

Taking over a broken program can be one of the hardest tasks to take on. However, working towards a vision and a common goal--and eventually getting there--makes it all worth it in the end. In this article, the author shares the lessons she learned as the new director for the Bright Horizons Center in Ashburn, Virginia. She suggests that new…

Over the last three decades schools have been subject to increasing and more varied sets of regulatory frameworks. In order to maintain creativity teachers need a clear educational perspective from which they can mediate, prioritise and lead change and one that enables them to develop and act upon their beliefs about education. The extent to which…

To be successful, leaders must understand the people they lead and the complex nature of the environment within which they function. Such contextual knowledge influences leadership styles and behaviors. While research has shown that intrasocietal contextual differences are associated with different styles and different degrees of effectiveness of…

In this article, the authors take a quick comparative look at two superintendents and their districts to better understand how both of them, considered strong leaders, can have very different effects on mean district-level student achievement. Their recent meta-analysis of the effects of district-level leadership on student achievement, summarized…

Conflict in the university setting is an inherent component of academic life. Leaders spend more than 40% of their time managing conflict. Department heads are in a unique position--they encounter conflict from individuals they manage and from others to whom they report such as a senior administrator in the position of dean. There are very few…

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to explore the interaction between information communication technology (ICT) and the school's organizational structure, and propose an analytical model based both on Luhmann's system theory and empirical findings. Design/methodology/approach: The approach of building a theory from a case study research along…

Third-country faculty are faced with significant challenges interacting with university students who come from different socio-cultural backgrounds and have different expectations regarding faculty's role, behavior, and leadership style. This paper compares diversity practices and action options that can facilitate or hinder the integration of…