Page 17 - Leadership Basics Educative Leadership

Conversation 3

The school always held a graduation ceremony dinner. Colleague ‘A’ (mid-level Head of Senior
School) was not keen to accept the leadership role because she had only been on staff for a short
period of time and had no idea what was required of the position. The principal volunteered her
name, feeling that she should do the job. After accepting the role ‘A’ was given the names of staff
members and parents who had run the event before and was told that there a folder that had all
the relevant information was available on the school’s server. Therefore, ‘A’ consulted, read and
networked with other staff members to enlist their help. She then attempted to consult with the
two parents about the ceremony and dinner menu. However, when she called during
school-business hours the parents were not available, so ‘A’ left messages. They did not call her
back at school. Therefore, she proceeded on her own to plan the program and menu. ‘A’ discussed
her choices with the assistant principal, who reported that her plan seemed fine. ‘A’ then
published a flyer advertising the program and menu. The following day, a parent committee
member phoned her to ask why important items had been omitted from the program and indicate
that the menu (a buffet) was not in keeping with the school traditions. ‘A’ reported to the principal
that the conversation had been very heated and that she felt the parent had been quite
confrontational. The principal supported the parent, telling ‘A’ of the parent’s influence and past
sponsorship of the dinner The principal also explained that graduation was a cultural event
steeped in school tradition, and told ‘A’ to withdraw the flier and start again.

With your colleagues discuss this story.
What would you have done if you were ‘A’ (initially when told and later when told to start again)?

What has this story to do with educative leadership?

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