On Conceptualising School Leadership: Time to Abandon Transformational Leadership?

Abstract

Transformational leadership is described as the dominant conception of leadership in education. The conception of transformational leadership is defined through reference to the work of Sergiovanni (1984, 1990), Bass & Avolio (1993) and Leithwood (1994). Recent criticisms of transformational leadership by Gronn (1995) and Lakomski (1995) are described. While these criticisms are useful in questioning the relevance of transformational leadership to education it is argued that they are not strong enough to warrant its abandonment. Research on principals’ and teachers’ perceptions of principal leadership in schools is used to demonstrate support for transformational leadership. It is suggested ..