Inviting Educational Leadership

Cheryl Heron (Headteacher of Bridgemary Community School, Gosport, UK)

International Journal of Educational Management

ISSN: 0951-354X

Article publication date: 1 November 2003

146

Citation

Heron, C. (2003), "Inviting Educational Leadership", International Journal of Educational Management, Vol. 17 No. 6, pp. 285-285. https://doi.org/10.1108/ijem.2003.17.6.285.1

Publisher

:

Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2003, MCB UP Limited


This is an outstanding book about invitational leadership. Invitational leadership centres on appreciating individuals and empowering them to achieve their potential. However, what makes this book a particular success is the fact that the reader can dip in and out at will without losing the flow or direction of the message. It should be essential reading for all school leaders.

The book is structured with each chapter being delivered rather like a classroom lesson plan. The plans gradually build into a total scheme, which lead to the big picture of how invitational leadership works. The structure works well and allows the reader to interact successively with the book.

The book starts from the premise that we are phased by the whelm factor: one can be overwhelmed or underwhelmed. Invitational leadership can help resolve this difficulty by allowing choices. The reader can consequently identify with the author because of the realistic examples given.

It approaches educational leadership from all levels and allows the reader to think about leadership styles and how to achieve them. The book is a highly successful overview allowing the reader to determine his/her favoured leadership style. This book is highly recommended for aspiring as well as actual leaders.

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