THE IMPORTANCE OF LEADERSHIP IN SCHOOLS

Abstract

Great leaders are almost always great simplifiers, who can cut through argument, debate, and doubt to offer a solution everybody can understand.” General Colin Powell

There will be reference to history of an ideal king, popularly known as Chandragupta Maurya and Chanakya, solely responsible for the greatness of Chandragupta who can be called one of the greatest leaders in the entire history of mankind. It is difficult to define a leader, as it is impossible to define fire. It is useless entering into a high profile debate on the semantics of leadership especially school leadership in this age of globalization and modernisation. A leader is a person who leads the team to achieve the targeted objectives, it implies following things:
• A team leader, whose role should be to constantly encourage independent thinking among the team members. They should feel free to approach him with problems and solutions.
• A team comprising members with diverse skills and personalities.
• A definite objective. The team and its leader should know what to achieve. It must set goal it wants to achieve. If that is not done the team will be on a wild goose chase.
• A strategic plan indicating how the resources at the disposal of the team will be utilized to achieve the desired goals in minimum time. A good plan will anticipate roadblocks by figuring out what could possibly prevent the success of the plan. It would take care of them in advance of the problem.” A school Principal is the remarkable example of school leadership, who sets the short and long term goals on daily basis. Principals strongly shape the conditions for high-quality teaching. High quality principals therefore are vital to the effectiveness of our nation's public schools, especially those serving the children with the fewest advantages in life. Principals are exceptional human beings who take organizations to higher and higher levels of performance. Researches on leadership have shown that hallmarks of effective leadership are as follows:
• Credibility
• Managing conflict
• Problem Solving
• Leader as Role Model
• Keen Listener
• Sharing the spotlight Knowing the latest trends, policies regarding academics for holistic development of children is need of the hour. NEP and CBSE framework have defined clear cut goals and related training, updation and implementation strategies. All school leaders have to pass the litmus test to emerge successful and effective ones. With their years of experience and orientation programmes, it is hoped that they will be able to implement it in letter and spirit.