This study aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the various leadership models applied in the education sector, analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of each approach. The models of administrative/managerial, instructional, transformational, distributed, transactional, ethical, contingent and participative leadership are presented, focusing on their contribution to improving the functioning of school organizations. The research highlights that no single model alone can meet the ever-changing needs of school settings and suggests a synthetic approach to leadership that combines the strengths of different models to create a flexible and adaptive leadership style. Integrating managerial and transformational practices, fostering collaboration through distributed and participatory leadership, and maintaining ethical integrity are critical factors in the success of educational organizations. This research contributes to providing a comprehensive comparative analysis of existing leadership approaches in education, bridging the research gap by formulating a theoretical framework that can guide the practical application of leadership in educational settings, enhancing the effectiveness and adaptability of school units to contemporary challenges.