Stories from the Field
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What Kind of Leader Are You?
There is no “one size fits all” when it comes to Principal Leadership. There are various styles with differing results. It is important to understand your own leadership mode and characteristics and the core value that is inherent in each. The values will influence your decision making and the perceptions of “fairness” on the part of your followers. According to Hall, Taylor, Kalven, and Rosen (1990), reported in Rasik & Swanson (2001), the following cycles and characteristics provide one framework for understanding leadership:
- Primal Cycle. The leader is concerned with self-preservation and security on the job. The leadership mode is autocratic, making all major decisions, demanding loyalty and control. Followers will be passive and follow with blind obedience.
- Familial Cycle. The leader is concerned with his or her own self-worth. The leadership mode is benevolent authority. The leader listens but still makes all decisions and seeks adherence to rules. Followers feel cared for but still view the leader in control.
- Institutional Cycle. The leader is concerned with self-competence with a bureaucratic mode of leadership. This leader embraces management by objectives and exercises delegated authority to followers.
- Intrapersonal Cycle. Characterized by a transition from the personal to the societal concern. The leadership mode is enabling while attempting to reconcile institutional demands and personal values. This mode often breeds confusion on the part of followers.
- Collaborative Cycle. The leader is concerned with establishing a new order with a charismatic mode of leadership. The leader is democratic with a clear vision about how to modify rules to fit personal conscience. Followers will engage in small group interactions, some decision making and conflict resolution skills.
- Mystical or Integrative Cycle. This leader is concerned with interdependence and will exhibit a servant leadership mode. The leader is concerned with impact on society and maximizing individual development. Followers will work at high levels of trust and intimacy.
- Prophetic Cycle. The leader is concerned with rights and world order operating in the interdependent mode. Leadership and followership are merged in collaborative efforts to reconcile conflicting groups.
When considering ethical decisions, it might be helpful to screen the scenario through the lens of your leadership style to ascertain your motive and the impact the decision is likely to have on your followers.
Sources
Hall, B. P., Taylor, B., Kalven, J., & Rosen, L. S. (1990). Developing human values. The International Values Institute.
Rasik, T. A., & Swanson, A. D. (2001). Fundamental concepts of educational leadership. Upper Saddle River, NJ : Merrill Prentice Hall.
