A Review of Leadership: Different Leadership Theories and Styles Relevant to Education Leadership
Poorna Perera
*
Ministry of Education, Sri Lanka.
Thanuja Witharana
Department of Educational Publications, Ministry of Education, Sri Lanka.
Prabath Withanage
Ministry of Education, Sri Lanka.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
This academic investigation on education leadership theories and styles sought to investigate the effect of different leadership styles practicing in educational organizations and their impact on overall performance of the organization. A summarized overview of the meaning of leadership is followed by an elaborated enquiry on different leadership theories and styles. This study followed a qualitative research approaches where secondary research data from previously published research articles will be integrated and interpreted. This article validates that identification and application of proper leadership theory and style is crucial in educational organization success. Knowledge on range of effective leadership approach offers the prospect to further refine the existing school leadership by accepting and employing the basic principles and styles of those. Based on the available reliable literature, this theoretical study concludes that understanding the most suitable leadership style or the combination of leadership styles is crucial in achieving common goal attainment which is ultimately result in organizational/ school overall success.
Keywords: Leadership, education leadership, leadership theories, leadership styles