[Ous-lp-rp13] EDAD 6010, Answer to Question 1

[James Ward]

In order to be the most effective administrator that one needs to be, one
must address two important aspects. The two aspects are not an “either or”
(one or the other) approach, but a “both and” (partnered together)
approach. A principal needs to be able to exhibit both managerial and
leadership skills equally to help their school run and be as successful as
possible. Leaders and managers can sometimes be defined as very similar,
but in reality they are very different. Principals need to have a good
grasp on the managerial side of the job since there are certain day to day
responsibilities that must be completed. These things consist of but aren’t
limited to assigning subs to classrooms, handling a disgruntled parent,
performing evaluations and keeping up on the always changing standards,
programs, and curriculum.  As a leader, the principal must come across to
their staff of teachers, cooks, custodians, etc. as someone who has a
vision and a plan to take them where they are, to where they need to be.  A
leader must also exhibit a great deal of drive and willingness to get their
hands dirty just like everyone else. As the saying goes, “a good leader,
leads by example.”



Stakeholders can find managers effective in a positive way for a variety of
reasons. One quality that stakeholders might find that they appreciate in a
manager is the ability to communicate well. This quality is of great
importance in being a manager, but also a leader.  The ability to
communicate is crucial because a manager must be able to delegate certain
tasks, conduct meetings, as well as listen to and voice concerns from their
staff, just to name a few.  Neither of these crucial pieces of
administration can be completed effectively without being an effective
communicator.  Administrators must also possess the ability to communicate
in a way that takes into consideration the people to whom they are speaking.
Leadership addresses the aspect of communication that shows individuals
that you care about them and that you are interested in them communicating
with you also.  Stakeholders would appreciate this quality in a manager
because the employees would feel as though they were more a part of a team
rather than a subordinate. However, a stake holder might find the
communication aspect of the job as a negative attribute also because when a
manager is unable to communicate their needs, goals, and vision they have,
they can come across as being harsh, unattached or inconsiderate. If a
manager were to come across in this way, it could cause a division in the
work place and an unwillingness or an undesired feeling to complete tasks.
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