Supreme Special: Authoritative Leadership in Schools
Leadership style in schools is a major requirement for academic performance(positive or negative). Simply put, it is away to manage human and material resources in a school. It is the method adopted by a management in dealing, coordinating , handling issues with people at work and exercising authority in the work place in order to […]
Leadership style in schools is a major requirement for academic performance(positive or negative). Simply put, it is away to manage human and material resources in a school. It is the method adopted by a management in dealing, coordinating , handling issues with people at work and exercising authority in the work place in order to achieve organizational goals . According to Hartzell, G. The success of any school is influenced by the method of work co-ordination, level of staff commitment to the school and the extent to which teaching staff and support staff co-operate with one another, management and the community. Leadership style is a managerial terminology often used to describe the modus operandi of management.
THE CONCEPT OF LEADERSHIP
According to Mcguire, R. leadership is one of the most researched areas in management because of its sensitivity and the important role it plays in any organization including schools. It is a major factor influencing effectiveness, efficiency ,and success of any school, it is the nature, quality ,and style of the leadership used and provided by each school according to Commonwealth Secretariat, 1996. This is why leadership style is a critical requirement in influencing the effectiveness and performance of a school. Hence school need effective and efficient leadership styles to achieve set goals and objectives according to Hofstede, G. (1997). Today there are various definitions of effective leadership as different writers sees the term leadership from their various point of views. Leadership is a processes of influencing a group of people to do things willingly towards achieving a common goal. Effective school managers are not really after decision making , they rather pay attention and focus on important decisions that have an impact on the school. That is to say they focus more on decision than solving daily problems. They are committed to a vision that transforms the totality of the school and the people.
AUTHORITATIVE SCHOOL LEADER/s MANAGER
Political scientists use the term authoritarianism to describe a way of governing that values order and control over personal freedom. An Authoritarian system of Government is usually headed by a dictator. Authoritative management style is a where the school manager controls all the decisions and takes very little inputs from other members. The school manager makes choices or decisions based on his own beliefs and do not seek opinion from others . This type of leadership style is seen mostly effective in businesses which are relatively small with fewer employees and not in a school. This type of leadership style is only effective in organizations where the nature of work requires quick decision-making. A leadership style that is effective where the sole responsibility of the decision and the outcome is with the leader. An authoritative school manager dictates the tasks , distribute responsibilities among other employees, and no reward or recognition is given to employees to boost morale. Experts argue that this type of leadership style can be damaging rather than rewarding in the long run as it resembles that of a dictator. It leads to low employee morale, which in turn may lead to attrition in many cases. However, there is one thing I like about authoritative school system , their zero tolerance for indiscipline, laziness across board ( Teachers and Students).
IMPLICATIONS OF AUTHORITATIVE LEADERSHIP STYLE IN A SCHOOL SYSTEM .
There is lack of due consultation :An authoritative leader lacks consultation skills, he does anything his mind tells him to do, most times an organization that practices an authoritative leadership style most likely do not go too far in terms of success. This is because autocracy dislikes criticism and competition .
•It may create an unwelcome culture within the school environment : The quality of school practicing authoritative management is dependent upon the ethics of the leader in charge. If that leader does not create a fair working environment, then it is difficult for any employees to change that environment.
•Lack of trust: Rules are placed for subordinates to follow in an authoritative system because there is a need to create consistency. That “need” is generated by an overall lack of trust.
In summary , the process of selecting a manager for any school should be void of sentiments, the best person for the job in terms of character, qualification ,experience, track record should be given the job , irrespective of whom the person is, where he comes from, whom he knows, or his religion. This is because the challenge the world is facing today is that of leadership, the world needs suitable leaders.
Krystal IBHADE Tamunosiki
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