Understanding Strategic Forces

Understanding Strategic Forces

Christian Parker, Chris Mansour, Krista Fox, Calvin Russell, Mario Quintana, Jared Mathews, Jenna Delgado

LDR/300

July 1, 2013

Dr. Sharla M. Walker, D.M.

Understanding Strategic Forces

There are many definitions of leadership. The Collins English dictionary defines leadership as "the leader(s) of a party or group." Yet true leadership is much more than that. A leader can be the chief executive officer of an organization, or a first year employee who leads his or her team to success behind the scenes. A leader might lead through official authority and power, yet just as often great leaders lead through inspiration, persuasion and personal connections. Teaching others to be a leader is a daunting task within itself (Pankaew, 2013).

J.B. Davidson is candidate number one for the principal position. J.B. is 55 years old and has experience serving in the position of principal for two other schools in which he found success. "He previously served as principal at two other schools where he was successful in focusing on basic academic skills, traditional approaches, discipline, and encouragement of success" (Nahavandi, 2009). J.B Davidson is extremely qualified for this position holding a B.A. and a M.A. in education. J.B. is extremely clear-headed and leads with discipline, and is very active in the day to day to running of a school in which he leads. "He runs a tight ship and is involved in every aspect of his school" (Nahavandi, 2009).

Jerry Popovich is candidate number two for this position. Jerry is also very qualified with a M.A. and a Ph.D. in education administration. "She holds M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in education administration with an undergraduate degree in computer science" (Nahavandi, 2009). Jerry is currently the principal at another school and considered creative in ways in which to run a successful school. Jerry is skilled at bringing in many points of view in her decision-making process. "She considers one of her major strengths to be the ability to involve many constituents in decision-making. She describes herself as a facilitator in the education process" (Nahavandi, 2009).

Based on the needs of the junior high, Jerry Popovich is the right candidate for the position. Jerry has the ability to get the parents involved and motivate, inspire the teachers to improve the school. Jerry has the ability to involve the proper people in the community to make sure she has the resources needed to successfully, rehabilitate the junior high.

J.B. Davison's strategic approach to the position of principal will be one of traditional values and function. The environment Davison will create will be one of structure and family. This will create a culture that is very formal, direct, and with straightforward rulings. The traditional and conservative approach Davison will bring to this school will bring it back to basics by using the technology that has been developed and proven over the past years. Based on his traditional views and formal approach as expected to have a micro leadership style. This leadership will focus on the internal structure of the school.

Jerry Popovich will have a much different strategic approach to the changes for the school. Popovich will likely be an upper-echelon leader by involving the community and families of the students more than has been seen in the past. The structure Popovich will create will be one much more like a business, using technology to bring new ideas to the school. With her creative style, the culture will allow staff, community, and family to bring new ideas and suggestions. She refers to herself as a facilitator in the education process (Nahavandi, 2009), this shows that she is not one to make individual decisions but will develop a team culture for the school.

When looking at representation of leadership, both J.B. Davison and Jerry Popovich are great candidates to purse the principal position. Assessing the candidates' leadership traits means looking at their experience illustrates a great opportunity for nominees. Looking at the building blocks of skills, Davidson has the services and competencies this position looking for. Jerry Popovich shares the same traits and both have the knowledge and experience as well. Davison a little older and holds a doctorate in education and B.A. and M.A. degrees in education. The experience of serving as a principal at two schools prior to this job shows values, interests and goals. Davison's past of focusing on basic academic skills, traditional approaches, discipline, and encouragement of success proves his dedication and willing to teach. Davidson, having a solid base of teaching history and social studies before the two principal jobs shows that he has started at the bottom and worked his way up. These steps, combined with the father figure he presents himself displays analytic, practical, creative, and emotional intelligence. Davison's strict ethics and teaching methods may be exactly what he current