Participative Leadership



Abstract

School leadership styles have been in a transition over the past few decades from the traditional autocratic or directive leadership style to a more democratic and popular participative style. This transition has been highly influenced by the leadership styles employed by the corporate world that, backed by research findings and decades of practice, have shown positive and effective results in organizations (Leech & Fulton, 2008). Therefore, this more democratic, participative leadership style has gained entry into the field of educational leadership and has, according to findings, shown positive results in schools. The positive effects of practicing participative leadership by leaders include an increase in morale that, in turn, contributes to job satisfaction and increases productivity. Leaders who practice participative leadership also create team spirit among their followers, which represents an important stepping stone in meeting organizational goals.

Participative Leadership

Leadership plays an essential role in the success or failure of any organization

(Zahra, 2008), and a school's success is attributable to good and effective school leadership (Leech & Fulton, 2008). Excellent schools are usually led by excellent leaders, whereas failing schools are headed by weak leaders. Therefore, an essential element to a high-quality education can be equated with school leadership (Leithwood & Riehl, 2009). School leaders are now playing important roles as change agents in educational leadership reform from the traditional autocratic leadership style to the more democratic participative style, and school change can be made possible only when it begins with the principal and the school's leadership team (Flanary, 2009 & Leech & Fulton, 2008). School leaders are also said to be important figureheads who have the power to either encourage or discourage collaborative decision-making processes (Birky et al., 2009). Bogler (2011) also mentioned that teacher job satisfaction is affected by both the principal's leadership styles and decision-making strategies.

Principles of Participative Leadership

A leader who practices participative leadership is one who invites others to share in the ways and means of getting things done. They work to establish a climate that is open to new and diverse opinions. This leader consults with others, obtains their ideas and opinions, and integrates their suggestions into the decisions regarding how the group or organization will proceed (Northouse, 2010, p. 149). Participative leadership is one of the four types of leadership behaviour in the path goal theory. The path-goal theory model is used to select the leadership style (e.g., directive, supportive, participative, or achievement oriented) that is appropriate to the situation (i.e., subordinate or environment) to maximize both performance and job satisfaction (Lussier & Achua, 2007). Northouse (2010) offered the following statement about leadership types:

A directive leader gives subordinates instructions about their task, including what is expected of them, how it is to be done, and the time line for when it should be completed. A supportive leader goes out of his or her way to make the work pleasant for subordinates, and an achievement-oriented leader challenges subordinates to perform work at the highest level possible. (p. 127)

The effectiveness of the four leadership styles ...