What is Leadership?

Post date: Aug 11, 2016 3:55:52 AM

By: Dr. Merlinda C. Dominguez

EPS- Mathematics

Leadership has been defined in many ways, but the classic definition that encompasses the critical dimensions of leadership is that offered by Tannenbaum, Weschler, and Massarik (1961): “interpersonal influence directed through the communication process toward the attainment of some goal/s.

The leader, in contrast to the follower, is characterized as follows (Bass and Stogdill, 1990):

A strong drive for responsibility and task completion, vigor and persistence in pursuit of goals and originality in problem solving, the drive to exercise initiative in social situations, self- confidence and sense of personal identity, willingness to accept consequences of decisions and action, readiness to absorb interpersonal stress, willingness to tolerate frustration and delay, the ability to influence other persons’ behavior, and the capacity to structure social interaction system to the purpose at hand .

Research into leadership reveals there is no single definition of leadership nor specific guidelines or direction as to what leader does. The term encompasses “those actions that delegate to others, to promote growth in student learning, and comprises the following tasks: defining the purpose of schooling, setting school-wide goals. Providing the resources needed for learning to occur.

The literature review also reveals there has been considerable shift in the descriptors associated with the leader. In the past, the accent was the negative. Nowadays the leader is referred to as “cheerleader, nurturer of champions, hero finder, coach and facilitator or builder.

One model of leaderships that has stirred some interest is that servant leadership espoused by Sergiovanni (2001). Here the leader, is no longer “ the high and mighty” who pushes people to achieve the goal. Here the leader is a “servant leader” who provides inspiration and the pull to achieve the goal. Times have changed.

Like our President Duterte who serves as servant leader who provides inspiration and the pull to achieve the goal. This leadership can be linked to us as servants in the Department of Education who nurture our learners. “ Leadership is tantamount to modeling”. Students should demonstrate leadership as demonstrated by their teachers. Teachers should demonstrate leadership as demonstrated by their School Heads. School Heads should demonstrate leadership as demonstrated by their Education Program Supervisors. Education Program Supervisors should demonstrate leadership as demonstrated by their Chiefs. The Chiefs demonstrated leadership as demonstrated by their Assistant and Schools Division Superintendent.

Therefore it is not only the responsibility of only one person but the responsibility of the whole force of the Department of Education not to mention, the Division of Balanga City.