Bush distinguishes the differences among educational leadership, management and administration. Administration is a broad concept that includes both management and leadership. Management ensures the efficient operation of the educational institution, such as making sure buses arrive and depart on time. Leadership refers to methods to ensure desirable education outcomes, such as acceptable standardized test results. Both leadership and management are necessary for the proper operation of the learning institution.
The traditional approach to school leadership has been the management approach. This is based upon an organization model with managers, such as assistant principals or department chairs, in place to carry out actions to achieve goals. In this approach, organizations are treated as systems with a focus upon the official organization of the system.
Gary Marx, associate professor of educational leadership at Eastern Michigan University, notes changes in the traditional top-down role of many educational leaders. The new focus upon student achievement has created a need for shared leadership with teachers who are experts in their subjects. School leaders cannot be experts in all subjects. As part of this approach, professional development of teachers in leadership has become a priority.
The transactional model is based upon the exchange of something of value between two parties. The followers may comply with the wishes of the instructional leader as the leader may have something of value to offer, such as references or promotions. Political agendas by independent subgroups within the organization may cause difficulties in the process.
Subjective management and postmodern leadership focus upon the role of the individual within the organization more than the organization itself. By using this focus, perceptions of the organization by individuals may be understood and individual roles assigned or modified for maximum organizational efficiency and job satisfaction. Subjective models perceive organizations as creations of people with the ability to be changed as needed.
Cultural leadership focuses upon ideologies, beliefs and norms of the individuals that make up the organization. The behavior of the individuals will be based upon these ideologies, beliefs and norms. Leaders can appeal to or show respect for these characteristics to increase harmony in the organization.
While the direction of school leadership is difficult to predict, the implementation of new educational mandates have required a transformation of the school administrator role. Teachers are now part of a collaborative process with other faculty and staff members.