4 Leadership Styles in Education

Great school leaders don’t just manage — they inspire. Whether they’re working with teachers to align curricula across different grade levels or reshaping school policies to address gaps in their students’ performance, effective school leaders can make all the difference.

Recent research published in the journal Educational Management Administration & Leadership found that, while instructional leadership — directly helping teachers improve their classroom practices — remains key to a school’s success, leaders influence their schools in many areas and employ many styles of leadership.

So what do leadership styles in education look like, and which styles can make the biggest impact? Not every leader operates the same way, and that’s a good thing. And different situations call for different approaches. Earning an advanced degree in education can help educators discover the leadership style that best suits their strengths and circumstances.

What Is Leadership in Education?

Leaders in education do more than manage the day-to-day operations of their schools. They shape the learning culture that ensures their students and teachers can flourish. While administrative tasks are part of their job, the real heart of educational leaders’ work lies in creating a vision for their schools and building a path to achieve that vision.

Core components of educational leadership include:

Setting Goals

Effective educational leaders help their schools look forward. By establishing clear, measurable goals grounded in the needs of their students and teachers, leaders ensure that their schools move in the right direction. Whether the goal is to raise literacy rates or improve graduation rates, having a shared vision allows the entire school community to work toward the same objectives.

Supporting Teacher Development

Effective educational leaders empower their teachers to continuously grow and improve their instructional practices. This involves more than just organizing professional development workshops. It requires leaders to actively engage with teachers to understand their challenges and then offer specific solutions that can address those challenges.

For example, a principal may visit classrooms and then hold meetings with the teachers to share feedback on what’s working and what isn’t. Then the principal can collaborate with the teachers to help them set goals for improvement and pair the teachers with mentors who can provide model lesson plans, or suggest new strategies tailored to their specific needs.

Leaders also support teachers by aligning their professional development opportunities with the school’s and the district’s goals. For instance, if a school is focused on improving its students’ math scores, the principal may bring in math specialists to lead targeted training sessions or provide new curriculum resources.

Creating Conditions for Learning

Creating a safe and inclusive learning environment is central to educational leadership. Students learn best in places where they feel supported both academically and emotionally. Leaders in education can foster these types of supportive environments in various ways, from implementing policies that ensure English language learners’ needs are met to providing resources for students with disabilities.

Additionally, positive learning environments require maintaining high expectations for both students and teachers, balancing support with accountability.

For example, a principal may establish a school-wide policy that sets clear behavioral expectations for students, with consistent follow-through on consequences. At the same time, the principal may implement counseling and peer mediation programs to help students meet the behavioral expectations in place.

Why Is Leadership Important in Education?

Without strong leadership, schools can struggle to reach their full potential. Effective leaders bring out the best in both students and staff. When leaders create a supportive environment, teachers feel more confident in trying innovative teaching methods and students become more engaged in their learning.

Research consistently shows that leadership in education is second only to classroom instruction when it comes to the school-related factors that impact students’ learning. This was highlighted in a 2004 landmark study commissioned by the Wallace Foundation. Updated research from the foundation in 2021 reaffirmed this, and suggested that the importance of educational leadership may be even greater than previously thought.

But why does leadership hold such weight in the educational process?

For starters, strong leadership acts as the foundation for all other elements of a school’s environment. Principals and other school leaders set a vision that guides their schools toward improvement. Without this vision, schools often lack the direction needed to make meaningful progress in areas such as student achievement, teacher development and overall school culture.

The impact of leadership becomes even more evident when schools face challenges. The Wallace Foundation’s research found that schools in the most difficult circumstances — whether they are dealing with underperformance, resource limitations or diverse student populations — benefit the most from strong leadership. In fact, the research found almost no examples of struggling schools being turned around without the intervention of effective leaders.

Beyond influencing their students’ achievement, good leaders impact nearly every aspect of school life. Effective leaders nurture environments where teachers feel supported and engaged, which directly improves the quality of their teaching. Effective leaders facilitate collaboration and ensure that resources are used to meet the needs of both teachers and students.

The ripple effects of strong leadership create cohesive, productive school communities.

4 Types of Leadership Styles in Education

Just as every student learns differently, every leader in education brings their own strengths and approach to the job. Consider some common leadership styles seen in educational settings and what makes each one unique.

1. What Is Collaborative Leadership?

Schools are complex organizations that need leaders who consider the unique perspectives of their teachers, parents and students. A collaborative approach can help leaders harness these diverse viewpoints to improve their school’s teaching, learning and culture.

Key attributes of collaborative leadership in education include:

Shared Decision-Making: Collaborative leaders prioritize shared decision-making by actively involving teachers, staff and sometimes even students in key decisions. This creates a sense of ownership and accountability across the school for the outcomes, fostering a more inclusive atmosphere. For educators, it means their insights and expertise are valued in shaping the school’s direction.
Open Communication: Collaborative leaders rely on open, transparent communication. They create channels where all stakeholders can voice their thoughts, ask questions and share their concerns. In schools, this might look like regular meetings with teachers, open forums for parents or feedback systems that encourage input from all members of the school community.
Trust and Empowerment: Leaders empower others by trusting them to take on responsibilities and make decisions in their areas of expertise. In education, this could mean trusting teachers to lead professional learning communities or encouraging staff members to take initiative in problem-solving and program development.
Focus on Relationships: Collaborative leaders prioritize building rapport and mutual respect among team members. In schools, this could involve promoting a culture of cooperation among staff and ensuring that teachers feel supported, both professionally and personally.

Collaborative leadership is especially relevant in situations requiring teamwork, shared expertise or wide-scale buy-in. This includes:

School Initiatives: When implementing new policies or programs, collaborative leaders can help ensure everyone is on board and committed to the changes.
Crisis Management: In times of crisis, such as addressing the challenges stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic or budget cuts, a collaborative approach can help the school community come together to find solutions and support one another.
Fostering Teacher Growth: When developing teacher professional learning communities or mentorship programs, collaborative leaders can create spaces for shared learning and growth.

2. What Is Transformational Leadership?

Transformational leadership focuses on change and innovation. This approach involves creating a shared vision and sense of purpose, which are used as tools of motivation to help staff and students reach higher levels of performance.

Key attributes of transformational leadership in education include:

Visionary Thinking: Transformational leaders set bold visions for their schools. This could mean introducing new teaching methods, encouraging the integration of classroom technology or promoting new ways of addressing students’ needs.
Inspiring and Motivating: Leaders who adopt a transformational style energize staff by appealing to their values and encouraging them to embrace new ideas. In schools, this may involve rallying teachers to tackle achievement gaps or adopt innovative instructional strategies.
Building a Positive School Culture: Transformational leaders work to develop a sense of trust and collaboration among staff. They aim to empower teachers to take risks and support one another in trying new approaches. A principal might implement initiatives such as peer observation programs, where teachers observe each other’s classrooms to learn new techniques and provide feedback.
Supporting Personal Development: Transformational leaders pay close attention to the personal and professional growth of their staff. In education, this could mean encouraging staff to take advantage of professional development opportunities or supporting educators in taking leadership roles within the school.

Transformational leadership is especially relevant when schools are going through situations involving large-scale change, including:

School Improvement Initiatives: When schools are focused on raising achievement levels or transforming their school culture, transformational leaders can provide the vision and motivation to drive progress.
Implementing New Programs: In times of educational reform or when introducing innovative teaching methods, transformational leaders can help inspire and guide staff toward embracing new ways of thinking and working.
Addressing Underperformance: When schools face challenges such as students’ low academic performance or disengagement, transformational leaders can energize the school community to address these issues by setting clear goals and encouraging a shared sense of purpose.

3. What Is Situational Leadership?

Challenges and needs can shift rapidly in school environments, due to changes in staff, new curriculum demands or any number of unexpected events. Situational leaders recognize that no single leadership style fits every scenario.

Individuals who use the situational leadership style in education adjust their approach based on the current unique circumstances and the varying developmental levels of their team members, so they can provide the right support at the right time.

Key attributes of situational leadership in education include:

Flexibility in Approach: Situational leaders adapt their leadership style to meet the needs of their team. For example, a new teacher may need more hands-on guidance, while experienced educators may thrive with more autonomy. This could mean shifting between providing direct support to teachers in need and offering more independence to those ready for it.
Assessment of Needs: Leaders using this style regularly assess the needs of their school, staff and students to be prepared to adjust their approach accordingly. This could involve evaluating students’ test scores to determine if any curricula need adjusting or monitoring the turnover rates of support staff to decide if more training might be needed.
Tailored Support: Situational leaders provide varying levels of support to individual staff members based on their competence and confidence. In education, this might involve offering extra resources and training to a teacher new to a particular subject area while giving more experienced staff the freedom to explore new instructional strategies.
Contextual Decision-Making: Situational leaders skillfully evaluate the context of situations and respond accordingly. In schools, this could mean knowing when to take a more direct approach and when to take a hands-off approach.

Situational leadership is especially relevant in environments where flexibility and adaptability are key to success. This includes:

Managing a Diverse Team: When leading a staff with varying levels of experience and skill, situational leaders can tailor their approach to meet the individual needs of teachers and staff.
Introducing New Curriculum: In times of change, such as implementing a new curriculum or adjusting teaching methods, situational leaders can ensure that the right amount of support is provided to teachers at different stages of their development.
Crisis or Unpredictable Challenges: During unexpected challenges, situational leaders can adjust their leadership style based on the context and needs of their school community.

4. What Is Coaching Leadership?

Teachers and staff must continue to develop their skills to meet the evolving needs of their students. Coaching leaders support this process by focusing on their teams’ personal growth and long-term development. Rather than directing, coaching leaders work alongside their team members to help them build on their strengths and find their own solutions to their challenges.

Key attributes of coaching leadership in education include:

Guiding Professional Development: Coaching leaders prioritize long-term professional growth for their staff. They may create individualized development plans for teachers that include providing regular feedback and encourage self-reflection.
Goal-Oriented Leadership: Leaders who use a coaching style focus on helping their staff set and achieve specific goals. In schools, this may involve working with teachers to set personal targets for their students’ learning outcomes or their own professional achievements, and then providing them with the necessary resources and support to reach those goals.
Providing Regular Feedback: Coaching leaders give continuous, constructive feedback to help their staff improve. These leaders prioritize growth over evaluation, creating a supportive environment where feedback is seen as an opportunity for improvement rather than criticism.
Encouraging Self-Reliance: Leaders who take a coaching approach emphasize helping their staff become more self-sufficient. They may push teachers to take ownership of their professional development or encourage them to lead school initiatives to cultivate a culture where educators feel confident solving their problems independently.

Coaching leadership is especially relevant in situations that require a focus on long-term growth and professional development. These situations may include:

Professional Development Programs: When schools aim to improve their teachers’ skills and knowledge, coaching leaders can provide them with individualized support and feedback.
Mentorship Programs: In settings where experienced teachers mentor newer staff, coaching leaders can help foster a culture of shared learning and growth.
Performance Improvement: When teachers or staff members are struggling, coaching leaders can provide them with the support they need to identify areas for improvement and develop a plan for success, rather than relying solely on corrective measures.

How to Create a Positive Learning Environment

No matter their style, leaders in education strive to create positive learning environments where students feel safe, supported and motivated to learn. Leaders play a crucial role in setting their school’s tone. This goes beyond just enforcing the rules — it involves creating a culture that values respect, curiosity and inclusivity.

School leaders can build that kind of space in different ways including:

Setting the Tone for Inclusion and Respect

Leaders play a critical role in shaping a school culture where every student feels respected and valued. By actively promoting diversity and inclusion at the school-wide level through policies that reflect a commitment to equity and making sure the curriculum includes diverse perspectives, leaders set the standard for how classrooms operate.

When leaders prioritize inclusion, it signals to students and teachers alike that every voice matters, making learning more meaningful for everyone.

Leading by Example

School culture flows from the top. When leaders model positive behaviors — whether that means listening to feedback, handling conflicts with grace or showing up with enthusiasm — the standard is set for teachers and students to follow.

A principal who consistently praises effort over achievement, for instance, helps create a culture where trying new things and taking risks in learning is celebrated.

Giving Teachers the Tools They Need

Great learning environments start with ensuring teachers have the support they need. By prioritizing ongoing professional development that’s directly tied to the challenges teachers face, leaders help teachers build better school environments.

For example, offering teachers workshops on classroom management or helping them stay up to date on new technology tools can provide them with the valuable resources they need to effectively engage their students. Additionally, focusing on strengthening teachers’ understanding of pedagogy in education, such as how different teaching strategies impact students’ learning, can lead to them offer more effective instruction and create more positive learning environments.

Making Room for Innovation

Positive learning environments are dynamic, not static. Leaders who encourage innovation — whether through new teaching methods, the creative use of technology or flexible classroom setups — help keep both their teachers and students engaged. Giving teachers the freedom to try new things and then reflect on what works and what doesn’t work creates a culture where growth and experimentation are valued.

Benefits of a Master of Education Degree for Developing Leadership Skills

Earning a Master of Education (MEd) degree can provide educational leaders with several key benefits. Specific advantages include:

Building Confidence and Student-Focused Approaches

An MEd program is designed to help educators feel more confident in their ability to lead and support students. It teaches practical strategies to make lessons more relevant and engaging, ensuring all students feel included and motivated to learn.

By specializing in an area such as elementary education, special education or secondary education, educators can focus on the area where they want to make the most impact, whether that’s working with young children, students with disabilities or teens in high school.

Blending Theory With Real-World Applications

An MEd program blends research-based knowledge with practical teaching strategies, enabling educators to apply new ideas in the classroom that can help boost their students’ learning. The skills they gain can be put to use right away, whether that means developing fresh ways to explain a lesson or employing effective methods for assessing their students’ progress.

Improving Classroom Management and Technology Integration

Leaders who complete an MEd gain practical skills for managing classrooms and integrating technology. Educators learn how to organize classrooms in ways that help students stay focused and behave appropriately. This may involve learning to use digital tools to monitor and address students’ behavior or exploring interactive platforms that gamify learning and make lessons more dynamic.

Take the Next Step in Your Leadership Journey

Strong leaders create the conditions that allow their students, teachers and staff to thrive. However, successful leadership styles in education can vary considerably. Each different approach offers unique benefits that can help shape a positive learning environment.

Augusta University Online offers a Master of Education program that prepares educators to be inspiring and effective leaders. The program allows individuals to tailor their learning experience by choosing from six concentrations:

Elementary Education
Secondary Education
Middle Grades Education
P-12 Education (art, health and physical education, music, or drama)
Special Education
General Education

Ready to make a difference in education? Explore Augusta’s MEd program today, and discover how your leadership can transform the lives of students and educators alike.

Sources:
Educational Management Administration & Leadership, “A Systematic Review of Research on the Relationship Between School Leadership and Student Achievement: An Updated Framework and Future Direction”
Indeed, “Leadership Styles in Education: 5 Effective Ways to Lead”
International Journal of Development and Public Policy, “Leadership Styles and School Effectiveness”
LinkedIn, “How Can You Use Situational Leadership in Education?”
OCM Solution, “Best Guide to Everything You Need to Know About Transformational Leadership in Schools”
School Leadership & Management, “The Importance of School Leadership? What We Know”
ThoughtExchange, “5 Effective Leadership Styles in Education — How to Make Them Work for You”
Wallace Foundation, “How Leadership Influences Student Learning”
Wallace Foundation, “How Principals Affect Students and Schools: A Systematic Synthesis of Two Decades of Research”

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