Developing Effective Leadership Conversations: The Significance of Open-Mindedness

• In Event: Roundtable Session 28
  In Roundtable Session: International Perspectives of Effective School Leadership Development

Abstract

Educational leaders need skill in having conversations that can address educational problems. Holding an open-minded stance is a central virtue to being able to engage in conversations that promote learning and problem resolution. This research draws on theories of cognition and interpersonal communication to examine the underlying stance of leaders. The unexpressed thoughts of 27 school leaders engaged in a conversation about an educational concern were analyzed. Findings reveal these leaders did not typically have an open-minded stance, instead, they tended to assume the validity of their own view and push their own agenda with the intention of ‘winning’ in the conversation. Leadership development might include intentional strategies to encourage an open-minded stance and increase the effectiveness of leaders’ conversations.

Authors

• Deidre Le Fevre, University of Auckland

• Viviane M. Robinson, University of Auckland

• Frauke Meyer, The University of Auckland