Too much of a good thing? Values in leadership for educational organizations

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this article is to compare images of ideal leadership between independent elementary and secondary schools and research universities using a standardized set of values, and to compare these ratings with an empirically‐derived model of effective group leadership.

Design/methodology/approach

Ratings by individuals within independent and higher education on the systematic multiple‐level observations of groups (SYMLOG) constellation of 26 values were compared with each other and the empirical model of most effective team leadership.

Findings

Differences consistent with expectations were noted between the two groups and with the model, confirming and describing what had previously been anecdotal. The independent education ideal was a preference for leadership that nurtures and protects individuals while equitably enforcing rules and regulations, whereas the higher education ideal contained greater elements of collaborative work and shared decision‐making by faculty.

Research limitations/implications

While grouping the data by industry sector, this research says little about possible variations within each group; e.g. between public and private universities or between religiously affiliated and nonsectarian schools. Likewise, the preponderance of subjects are from institutions in the USA, perhaps limiting the usefulness of the findings for other countries.

Practical implications

Leaders or those aspiring to lead in higher and independent education could benefit by balancing their approach between what stakeholders see as ideal and the empirically‐derived model of effectiveness.

Originality/value

This research demonstrates differences in preferred modes of leadership that previously have been only anecdotally conjectured. By finding subtle differences in ideal preference between elementary/secondary schools and research universities, the study further describes possible cultural variation within the education sector.

Citation

Frankel, M.T., Schechtman, J.L. and Koenigs, R.J. (2006), "Too much of a good thing? Values in leadership for educational organizations", International Journal of Educational Management, Vol. 20 No. 7, pp. 520-528. https://doi.org/10.1108/09513540610704627