Leadership and Organizational Development
EAD 801
Michael Clinton
Depending on the situation, the
term change can possess either
negative connotations or positive sentiments. I prefer to side with the latter
of these two. Fortunately change, to me, has more often than not been
associated with change for the better. When I first saw the title of the site
we were given to examine, ChangingMinds,
I began to navigate its contents – changing how others think, believe, feel and
do – in a positive light. I was able to relate and draw conclusions from many
of the theories listed, but it was not until I read the Participative
Leadership theory did I really begin to feel a connection to how I perceive
leadership to be and how it can and should play out in the best interest of
others.
As I see it, organizations in this day and age are at a great disadvantage if they do not consider the potential of each individual involved. A leader with the inclination that participation in decision-making “improves the understanding of the issues involved by those who must carry out the decisions” [1] is a vital asset to the organization as a whole. The style itself, as Starker describes it, covers many different dimensions that range from highly participative – full delegation of decision to team – to non-participative – autocratic decision by leader.[2] Noted in the assumptions section of the theory’s description, individuals highly involved in the decision making process are more committed and more collaborative when they are working towards a common goal.[3] In my experience both as a leader and follower, I have found this to be undeniably true, especially in a school setting.
I am a product of a school system in a democratic society. Perhaps resulting from this upbringing, I have placed a great deal of value in the collaboration and opinions of others. Perhaps more than any other industry or field, in the world of education and schooling it is crucial for individuals to have a significant sense of self-worth and value in the operations of a school. Several times in this course, my fellow students and I have discussed and agreed on the leadership potential of teachers. Whether it be from our Consensus Decision Making reading and discussion or from the responses that unraveled following the Developing Teachers as Leaders prompt, I would have to agree with my classmates in that teachers should have a say in the operations and decisions made by school leadership.
There are two points that I feel are necessary to address in relation to this Participative Theory. The first one is already described on the ChangingMinds.org site. It says: “Participative Leadership can be a sham when [leaders] ask for opinions and then ignore them. This is likely to lead to cynicism and feelings of betrayal.”[4] I believe this is an understatement. Leaders need to be sincere in their intentions and must value and appropriately respond and make use of the opinions of teachers. The second point I want to make is that I feel the theory fails to mention is the importance of having followers (i.e. teachers) who are committed to improving of themselves and the school. Our discussions surrounding the responsibility of becoming a life-long learner would be a powerful addition to this theory. If a school principle is going to practice a highly participative leadership role, he or she must have teachers who are committed to their own learning and self-betterment. I believe there can be a comparison drawn between the point made above and the argument that the success of a democracy has a lot to do with having an educated, informed and committed voting population.
My leadership experience in a formal setting is somewhat limited. While I strive to be in a leadership position someday in the future, I am making the most out of the position I am in at the moment. I am a committed individual who places a great deal of value in being a life-long learner. The times when I am placed in a leadership role, I make every effort in include those around me and get the most out of the group. While I can understand and appreciate the other leadership theories describe in ChangingMinds, it is the Participative Leadership Theory that I can relate to and believe in most. It is through participation that I think the most effective change can come about.
[1] Staker, David (October, 2008) Changing Minds: in Detail. Found November 2, 2009 on: ChangingMinds.org – Participative Learning Theory
[2] Straker, David (October, 2008)
[3] Straker, David (October, 2008)
[4] Straker, David (October, 2008)
As I see it, organizations in this day and age are at a great disadvantage if they do not consider the potential of each individual involved. A leader with the inclination that participation in decision-making “improves the understanding of the issues involved by those who must carry out the decisions” [1] is a vital asset to the organization as a whole. The style itself, as Starker describes it, covers many different dimensions that range from highly participative – full delegation of decision to team – to non-participative – autocratic decision by leader.[2] Noted in the assumptions section of the theory’s description, individuals highly involved in the decision making process are more committed and more collaborative when they are working towards a common goal.[3] In my experience both as a leader and follower, I have found this to be undeniably true, especially in a school setting.
I am a product of a school system in a democratic society. Perhaps resulting from this upbringing, I have placed a great deal of value in the collaboration and opinions of others. Perhaps more than any other industry or field, in the world of education and schooling it is crucial for individuals to have a significant sense of self-worth and value in the operations of a school. Several times in this course, my fellow students and I have discussed and agreed on the leadership potential of teachers. Whether it be from our Consensus Decision Making reading and discussion or from the responses that unraveled following the Developing Teachers as Leaders prompt, I would have to agree with my classmates in that teachers should have a say in the operations and decisions made by school leadership.
There are two points that I feel are necessary to address in relation to this Participative Theory. The first one is already described on the ChangingMinds.org site. It says: “Participative Leadership can be a sham when [leaders] ask for opinions and then ignore them. This is likely to lead to cynicism and feelings of betrayal.”[4] I believe this is an understatement. Leaders need to be sincere in their intentions and must value and appropriately respond and make use of the opinions of teachers. The second point I want to make is that I feel the theory fails to mention is the importance of having followers (i.e. teachers) who are committed to improving of themselves and the school. Our discussions surrounding the responsibility of becoming a life-long learner would be a powerful addition to this theory. If a school principle is going to practice a highly participative leadership role, he or she must have teachers who are committed to their own learning and self-betterment. I believe there can be a comparison drawn between the point made above and the argument that the success of a democracy has a lot to do with having an educated, informed and committed voting population.
My leadership experience in a formal setting is somewhat limited. While I strive to be in a leadership position someday in the future, I am making the most out of the position I am in at the moment. I am a committed individual who places a great deal of value in being a life-long learner. The times when I am placed in a leadership role, I make every effort in include those around me and get the most out of the group. While I can understand and appreciate the other leadership theories describe in ChangingMinds, it is the Participative Leadership Theory that I can relate to and believe in most. It is through participation that I think the most effective change can come about.
[1] Staker, David (October, 2008) Changing Minds: in Detail. Found November 2, 2009 on: ChangingMinds.org – Participative Learning Theory
[2] Straker, David (October, 2008)
[3] Straker, David (October, 2008)
[4] Straker, David (October, 2008)
