The Role of Leadership

Abstract

The article discusses the role of educational leadership within the framework of democratic processes. The earlier studies that propose behavior characteristics, and types of leader persons, have led to a mechanistic view of leadership, fostering control and management of group behavior by a superior authority which is inconsistent with the ideals of a democratic society. The definition of the role of leadership might hypothesize that the disparity existing between this knowing and behaving may be viewed as a degree of deficiency in the process of leadership maturation. The leadership role is associated with some refreshing and encouraging aspects. Possibly people can prepare for leadership by becoming informed about problems and concerns of the group. Depending upon the stage of democratic maturation, the leader will successfully promote growth in maturity within the leader-group relationship consistent with the presence of democratic qualities in that relationship.