Confucius as transformational leader: lessons for ESL leadership
International Journal of Educational Management
ISSN: 0951-354X
Article publication date: 11 May 2012
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to explore the leadership values and practices of Confucius in the light of transformational leadership theory.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper is literature based.
Findings
The paper discusses four key dimensions of transformational leadership theory: idealized influence, inspirational motivation, intellectual stimulation and individualized consideration and uses these as a framework for exploring the values of and teaching approach used by Confucius. The key message of the paper is that educational leaders have much to learn from a Confucian leadership style that is fundamentally transformational in nature and encompasses moral/ethical, socially critical, and democratic dimensions.
Practical implications
The paper presents a case study of an English as a second language (ESL) school and identifies several practical suggestions for ESL leaders to consider if they are to follow the tenets of Confucius's teachings.
Originality/value
The paper is original as it links the values and practices of Confucius to transformational leadership theory and considers how this theory might look in practice for leaders within a contemporary ESL school context.
Keywords
Citation
Bi, L., Ehrich, J. and Ehrich, L.C. (2012), "Confucius as transformational leader: lessons for ESL leadership", International Journal of Educational Management, Vol. 26 No. 4, pp. 391-402. https://doi.org/10.1108/09513541211227791
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2012, Emerald Group Publishing Limited