A progressive and more abstract lens is required to see the potential of distributed leadership in a school instead of searching solely for quantifiable evidence. Other Requirements for Effective Distributed Leadership School leaders need to approach distributed leadership strategically; distributed leadership is not an approach for just any leader to adopt. It is not enough for a leader of a school to simply possess managerial skills; leaders need to also possess leadership skills, which focus more on people development rather than timetable organization. I believe that, before attempting distributed leadership, leaders must first be able to demonstrate vulnerability, develop trusting relationships, and be able to effectively build capacity. Slater (2008) confirms that the leadership that develops future leaders must possess excellent communication skills, a high emotional intelligence, and have the ability to let go of the ego and some of the power that accompanies the hierarchical leadership role. These skills must be present and developed, or in process of developing, before distributed leadership can be attempted. Trying to implement distributed leadership without these aspects may do more damage and set the leader even further behind. Emotional Intelligence Goleman’s (1998) theory of emotional intelligence is a definite asset in the realm of knowing how to act and when. The skill of emotional intelligence can be learned and leaders need to take this component of leadership development seriously as it can make or break the culture of a school (Fullan, 2001). Generally speaking, aspects of emotional intelligence include: being able to manage stressful moods; using feelings to make good choices; being motivated; remaining positively resilient when faced with setbacks;
A progressive and more abstract lens is required to see the potential of distributed leadership in a school instead of searching solely for quantifiable evidence. Other Requirements for Effective Distributed Leadership School leaders need to approach distributed leadership strategically; distributed leadership is not an approach for just any leader to adopt. It is not enough for a leader of a school to simply possess managerial skills; leaders need to also possess leadership skills, which focus more on people development rather than timetable organization. I believe that, before attempting distributed leadership, leaders must first be able to demonstrate vulnerability, develop trusting relationships, and be able to effectively build capacity. Slater (2008) confirms that the leadership that develops future leaders must possess excellent communication skills, a high emotional intelligence, and have the ability to let go of the ego and some of the power that accompanies the hierarchical leadership role. These skills must be present and developed, or in process of developing, before distributed leadership can be attempted. Trying to implement distributed leadership without these aspects may do more damage and set the leader even further behind. Emotional Intelligence Goleman’s (1998) theory of emotional intelligence is a definite asset in the realm of knowing how to act and when. The skill of emotional intelligence can be learned and leaders need to take this component of leadership development seriously as it can make or break the culture of a school (Fullan, 2001). Generally speaking, aspects of emotional intelligence include: being able to manage stressful moods; using feelings to make good choices; being motivated; remaining positively resilient when faced with setbacks;