Principled, Pragmatic, and Purposive Leadership: Reimagining Educational Leadership through Prophetic Spirituality

Abstract

This article reimagines educational leadership using Cornel West's notions of prophetic spirituality. Three categories of leadership—principled, pragmatic, and purposive—are proposed. All three are grounded in the components of West's prophetic spirituality, namely, a deep-seated moralism, an inescapable opportunism, and an aggressive or profound pessimism. The article argues that the transformation of educational leadership necessitates searching for a unique way to alter its construction. Using an African American spiritual frame is suggested as one way to bring about such fundamental change in the field.