The concept of shared leadership in schools can be viewed from three perspectives. First, shared leadership can be viewed as leadership-as-partnership where internal and external school stakeholders, who are guided by a shared vision, work together to accomplish a common goal. Second, it can be seen as distributed leadership, where school heads enhance the knowledge and skills of the people in the school organization to create a common culture of expectations and hold everyone accountable. Third, shared leadership can also take place by developing a Community of Leaders where school heads openly articulate the goal, share decision-making authority with the school stakeholders, and involve the stakeholders before decisions are made. When stakeholders are included in the decision-making process, they are more likely to implement change that ultimately benefits the learning and development of school children.
In the school context, success in school improvement efforts is greatly determined by the quality of the shared commitment of all stakeholders – shared commitment that is founded on the spirit of shared ownership of the school. School leaders should facilitate the development of shared organizational values, trust, and a systems perspective which serves as a strong foundation on which school-based shared decision-making is built. When school leaders help stakeholders move sources of power, motivation, self-esteem and well-being, those within the school community develop a broader and deeper sense of responsibility to the work they share and a strong commitment to see the school succeed.
By: Mrs. Joan J. Quiroz | Lamao National High School
