Post 7

So, this isn't directly related to EAD 963, but it's hard for me to box in my leadership development because it's kind of what I do.

For my 801 class I've been reading Leadership Reconsidered (LR). LR presents a different view of transformative leadership. In LR, transformative leadership is loosely defined as a shared process amongst individuals in an organization in which positive change is occuring. Reading that made me think again about our last discussion in class. It made me realize that there is a difference between a transformative leader and transformative leadership. Transformative leadership is focused on the organization. It's a culture (a culture of awesome, if you ask me). Everyone in a transformational organization is empowered, the responsibilities are shared. Not everyone may be included in the decision making process, but the process is transparent.

LR was focused on how to transform higher education institutions, using this process of shared leadership. Overall, I thought it was pretty awesome, as it was really practical and talked about all the different constituent groups and what beliefs will help or hinder them in this process. I find myself wondering, however, if it really created change in higher education. It was released in 2000 or 2001, so I have to wonder if any institutions, or even departments, have picked it up and made use of it. Is it possible, knowing that higher education changes so slowly? I don't know that I'll find that answer.