Challenges in Education
The role that leadership plays in everyday life is still one of the most important ones as it might sound. It has a power to determine whether the country will be at peace or war, what investments must be done, and what the company shall avoid, and if local communities survive or thrive in property. Competent managers have a tendency to get results through others and build strong teams. In the modern world, people who simply run a project or a department are different from those ones, who can motivate them to follow him or her even if they are in the position of subordinates. Leaders create some value by setting themselves as an example to follow and engage together with a team to achieve a certain objective being important for everyone. Moreover, leaders manage to create an influence circle; and it can be seen if to count the amount of people outside leaders subordinates coming to him or her for help or advice. Leaders use inspiration and influence to motivate people. Leaders actually engage individuals, while managers simply get the tasks to be done properly. Education is a basis for the success of all future generation as well as the nation. That is why it is critical that this area must be having more leaders, who can motivate both students and peers to be successful. Thus, being a principle requires dealing with many types of issues. The objective of the following paper is to evaluate the answers in terms of leadership skills of the exact person who made a strategic decision in terms of the working environment. The name of the individual shall be kept confidential due to the request of an interviewed one.
The principle that has been interviewed has explained to me the following fact. At the beginning of the year, he had to deal with a very important decision in his working life. The educational institution (college) had certain money to be invested; and it was related to a budget planning issue: whether costs should be allocated to wage increases or sports facilities enlargement. It was a sort of dilemma, as no one can argue that the made decision has been wrong or right. The reason is that two areas needed an additional funding. Below is a list of questions asked during an interview, as well as the answers and the evaluation of those ones:
Q1 (Why was this objective selected to be focused during the current year?): The principle has explained that every year a college is setting itself a priority to allocate some money for the future development. Still, splitting costs equally do not always work, as neither of the areas that require improvements do not get enough investment; and it has a negative impact on the future strategic development. The reason is that sports is one of the most important recreational activities to students and an increased concern form the public related to obesity and illnesses prevention; and the issue related to updating the sport facilities has turned out to be very important. Thus, people are the best asset any institution can have; and the salaries increase is to be viewed as a major financial investment as well. The final decision was to invest in sports facilities. The reasoning of that shall be discussed further in the interview.
Evaluation: I would like to state that the following answer should be evaluated positively from my side in terms of proper management.
Why: the principle has explained that both issues are very important to college and neither of them shall be underestimated. He gave evidence that sports facilities are strategically important, as they cannot only help to fight obesity, but serve as a preventative measure. It is to make a nation healthier. Such reasoning is important as the principle does not put his priorities first, but think about students, which is an example of servant leadership.
Q2 (Who was involved in making that decision?): the principle has explained that he has gathered a team of professors. Therefore, they can help him to make this critical decision. He has also mentioned that he could have done it by himself, but he believes in the importance of teamwork. Moreover, it may be the common decision-making when one person can challenge another so the best choice could be made. Thereafter, after a session of brainstorming and common meetings, the final decision to invest in sport facilities was made.
Evaluation: I would like to state that the following answer is evaluated positively from my side in terms of proper management.
Why: the principle had a right to use legitimate power in order to make a decision. However, instead of this, he turned to connection and referent types of powers, which is the evident of good leadership behavior. He mentioned the importance of teamwork. It is critical for leaders in an educational area. Only common efforts when every person supports one another can help to bring the education to a higher level.
Q3 (Were there proponents and opponents involved in the process?): the principle made the comment that it had been hard for the team to avoid bias as the first milestone. The salary increase was related to each of them particularly. Those persons, who wanted to invest in salaries increase, provided some arguments as follows. People need motivation, while the opponents of that were speaking about a need of development of college. Therefore, it can get into the higher level and become more competitive.
Evaluation: the answer was good.
Why: the principle gave everyone to speak up and provide arguments for their points of view.
Q4 (Who made the final decision to select this specific objective?): The final decision was made by the principle. The major argument from the side of the principle was related to motivational theory. He has mentioned that famous psychologist told that such job satisfaction factors as achievement, recognition, responsibility, etc. These ones are not opposite to such factors of dissatisfaction as security, work conditions, salary, etc. It means that if the dissatisfaction factors are not being eliminated, the adding of satisfaction factors will not improve the situation. For example, if the working environment is bad, job promotion will not improve motivation of a worker. Sport facilities create a better working and studying environment. It will eventually attract more students and better investments, so money can be eventually allocated to the salaries increase. This process helps building the future and setting strong foundations to prosperity.
Evaluation: the answer was good.
Why: the principle has used his influence to persuade the members who made a decision based on logical facts, without using coercive power or an autocratic leadership style.
Q5 (How was the Implementation/Action Plan developed and by whom?): the principle has explained that he nominated one of his subordinated persons to develop the Implementation Plan. It has been done by this individual before. Moreover, the selected person had a team, which helped him to do the estimated costing, construction dates, and with bidding a form for contractors. The deadline was not very short, as quality is more important than quantity.
Evaluation: the answer was good.
Why: the principle has made a right decision by allocating the proper team and giving it more resources so to ensure that project may be completed successfully. It is an example of strategic and critical thinking.
Q6 (How were the Measures or Criteria for Success determined?): the measurement for the success has been based on the actual Implementation plan cascaded to key performance indicators. Thereafter, the mentioned indicators have included the start date of the project (actual constructions); the safety measurement (zero accidents); the progress chard (based on the needed equipment); the stages closure, etc.
Evaluation: the answer was good.
Why: it is important that the principle has asked the measures to be cascaded from the actual Implementation plan. This plan can help to see the progress of each area differently and make a conclusion what is causing a slow down or other issues. It is the best practice as then the issue can be fixed instead of failing the whole project.
Q7 (At this point in the year, how would you characterize the level of success of the Action Plan?): the principle has mentioned that for the moment he is happy how the project is going. Thereafter, he does not turn to micromanagement. However, the principle requires regular meetings and a feedback. Moreover, he asks the team whether they need additional support from his side.
Evaluation: the answer was good.
Why: it is very good that the principle does not turn to control every single minor stage of the project. It can cause only frustration and additional issues. He is happy to delegate the task for his subordinates. However, the principle does not ignore them and their concerns as he is happy to help them once needed. Moreover, regular meetings are making him an integral part of the team and a smart strategic manager as well.
Q8 (In retrospect, would you consider doing anything differently in the process of pursuing this critical issue? If so, why?): The principle was quite confused while answering this question. However, he has mentioned that he is confident in what he is doing and in the choice that was made on behalf of his college. He has stated that it is impossible to make everyone happy; and the principle does not want anyone to think that peoples salaries are less important to him. He just sees the bigger picture; and in certain conditions, that investment in sports facilities would beneficial for everybody in a long run.
Evaluation: the answer was good.
Why: the principle did not show any doubts in the strategy that had been selected. It is very good for a leader in an educational area. He gave a chance to the team and to college to have a better competitive advantage as well as prevent obesity and engage students in doing sports. The leaders of the team should not have any doubts in what they do. The reason is that it could negatively affect their subordinates.
