Having started to read Theories of Educational Leadership and Management by Tony Bush (2003), which by the way seems to be an excellent introduction to the topic, I am struck by how little emphasis in current theories tends to be placed on the people, pupils, parents etc that are being led.
Let me clarify; much mention is made of these people. Mention is made of influencing them, transforming them and bringing about better attainment through them. However, it is all one way. It is about how you, as a leader, can influence them. It isn’t about their thoughts, feelings or experiences as such.
I rememb
er reading a book a few years ago by Adrian Plass, The Growing Up Pains of Adrian Plass (1994). In this book he recounted the time he first realised that he was only the centre of his own world, not everyone elses, and they were the centre of their own worlds. He said that he realised “Everyone is I”.
Can we really truly lead educational change without at least acknowledging that “Everyone is I”, and entering in dialogue with all of these other “I”‘s?
