Books and journals Case studies Expert Briefings Open Access
Advanced search

Navigating the leadership tensions in creating collective responsibility

Deidre Le Fevre (Faculty of Education and Social Work, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand)
Frauke Meyer (Faculty of Education and Social Work, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand)
Linda Bendikson (Faculty of Education and Social Work, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand)

Journal of Professional Capital and Community

ISSN: 2056-9548

Publication date: 28 September 2020

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to use a collective responsibility theoretical lens to examine the work of three school principals as they focussed on school-wide goal-setting processes to achieve valued student achievement goals. The tensions principals face in creating collective responsibility are examined so that these might be intentionally navigated.

Design/methodology/approach

Qualitative case studies of three New Zealand schools include data from interviews with principals, middle leaders and teachers. An inductive and deductive thematic analysis approach was employed.

Findings

Principals face four key tensions: (1) whether to promote self or centrally directed and voluntary or mandatory professional learning; (2) how to balance a top-down versus a middle-up process for accountability; (3) ways to integrate both educator and student voice and (4) the complexity of both challenging teachers' beliefs and providing support. These challenges seemed inherent in the work of developing collective responsibility and leaders tended to move along response continuum.

Research limitations/implications

This research highlights the importance of being intentional and transparent with staff members about both the nature of these tensions and their navigation, and opens up further questions in relation to leader, and teacher perceptions of tensions in creating collective responsibility for achieving school-improvement goals.

Practical implications

An understanding of the tensions that need to be navigated can help leaders and other educators to take effective action, scrutinize the reasoning behind decisions, and understand the inherent challenges faced.

Originality/value

Leadership tensions in creating collective responsibility are explored and implications for leadership practice and learning considered.

Keywords

  • Collective responsibility
  • Leadership
  • Professionalism
  • Goal-setting
  • Relational trust
  • School improvement
  • Educational change

Acknowledgements

Funding: This research was funded by the New Zealand Government Teaching and Learning Research Initiative.

Citation

Le Fevre, D., Meyer, F. and Bendikson, L. (2020), "Navigating the leadership tensions in creating collective responsibility", Journal of Professional Capital and Community, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/JPCC-03-2020-0014

Download as .RIS

Publisher

:

Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited

Please note you do not have access to teaching notes

You may be able to access teaching notes by logging in via Shibboleth, Open Athens or with your Emerald account.
Login
If you think you should have access to this content, click the button to contact our support team.
Contact us

To read the full version of this content please select one of the options below

You may be able to access this content by logging in via Shibboleth, Open Athens or with your Emerald account.
Login
If you think you should have access to this content, click the button to contact our support team.
Contact us
Emerald Publishing
  • Opens in new window
  • Opens in new window
  • Opens in new window
  • Opens in new window
© 2021 Emerald Publishing Limited

Services

  • Authors Opens in new window
  • Editors Opens in new window
  • Librarians Opens in new window
  • Researchers Opens in new window
  • Reviewers Opens in new window

About

  • About Emerald Opens in new window
  • Working for Emerald Opens in new window
  • Contact us Opens in new window
  • Publication sitemap

Policies and information

  • Privacy notice
  • Site policies
  • Modern Slavery Act Opens in new window
  • Chair of Trustees governance statement Opens in new window
  • COVID-19 policy Opens in new window
Manage cookies

We’re listening — tell us what you think

  • Something didn’t work…

    Report bugs here

  • All feedback is valuable

    Please share your general feedback

  • Member of Emerald Engage?

    You can join in the discussion by joining the community or logging in here.
    You can also find out more about Emerald Engage.

Join us on our journey

  • Platform update page

    Visit emeraldpublishing.com/platformupdate to discover the latest news and updates

  • Questions & More Information

    Answers to the most commonly asked questions here