LEADERSHIP IN EDUCATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS – FROM FORMAL MANAGEMENT TO INFLUENCING SCHOOL CULTURE
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32782/2956-333X/2025-4-4Keywords:
Leadership in Education; School Culture; Distributed Leadership; Instructional Leadership; School Management; Teacher WellbeingAbstract
The leadership of educational organizations is undergoing a fundamental transformation driven by the complexity of the school environment and increased demands on educators. This article reflects the shift from traditional administrative management to a broader conception of leadership emphasizing pedagogical guidance and the purposeful shaping of school culture. The aim is to analyze leadership as a multifaceted process that indirectly influences the quality of instruction and the wellbeing of all stakeholders by cultivating climate, trust, and psychological safety. The text focuses on concepts of distributed and instructional leadership, highlighting the role of teachers and other specialists as leaders, and discusses the critical psychological dimension of leadership (motivation, change resistance). Simultaneously, the paper critically examines the limits and risks of leadership in Czech school practice, particularly the threat of principal overload and the phenomenon of "paper leadership". Conclusions indicate that effective leadership is a shared, culture-forming process and represents a necessary supplement to formal management essential for ensuring sustainable school development and staff professional satisfaction.
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