In Defense of Charisma: A Critical Examination of Contemporary Conceptions of School Leadership

• In Event: The Mulitfaceted Dimensions of Leadership Disposition

Abstract

In this paper, I critically examine the conceptions of leadership that underlie contemporary training and accreditation programs for school leaders. I argue that these conceptions tend to emphasize structure and routine over charisma and vision. Comparing official documents from three countries (Israel, the UK and the US), I show that school leaders are characterized first and foremost as managers of routines that support student and teacher learning. Even apparently “charismatic” qualities, such as inspiration and personal example, are reformulated in these documents as principles of routine management. Drawing on Weber (1978), I argue for a more dynamic conception of school leadership – one in which the school leader balances the management of routines with the exercise of charisma.

Author

• Eli Gottlieb, Mandel Leadership Institute