School leaders as architects of change

Abstract

A fascinating study published in the Harvard Business Review identifies the qualities of the most effective school leaders. Hill et al (2016) list five types of leader and label each one by means of a job title to highlight specific characteristics associated with each leadership category: Surgeons, Accountants, Soldiers, Philosophers and Architects. Based on interviews with 411 leaders as well as an analysis of their actions and impact over a seven-year period, the study concludes that Architects are the most effective kind. Architects turn around a failing school by progressively improving students’ scores, consolidating ties with its community, and developing teachers’ professionalism. Nonetheless, despite the high level of effectiveness they display, school leaders who act as architects of change are rare and unappreciated. The study’s results have some important implications for TESOL management.