Dynamic Conceptions of Leadership, Part II: Leadership Metaphors From Across the Globe

• In Event: 66.059 - Poster Session 14
  In Poster Session: 66.059-1 - School Leadership, Instructional Leadership, and Leading Through the Challenges of Social Justice and Contemporary Issues

Abstract

Leadership metaphors shape institutional practices and cultures. This research evaluated metaphors from university presidents and scholars from across the globe and compared the findings with the results of previous study that evaluated approximately 400 metaphors and descriptions on leadership solicited from U.S. Institutions of Higher Education presidents and scholars. The responses were analyzed for themes using grounded theory and narrative analysis to reveal a consensus on the essential aspects of leadership. Approximately 90% of the responses were equally distributed into three categories to capture the primary facets of leadership. The navigator, servant, and conductor meta-metaphors represent the goal, people, and tasks aspects of leadership, respectively. Educational leaders are encouraged to adopt the meta-metaphors for a holistic approach to leadership.

Author

• John R. Shoup, CBU