Transforming an organization takes time, as well, and with a school there is a great deal of work to be done. One of the best ways to start that transformation is to use a SWOT analysis to see the real issues that have to be addressed in strategic planning (Bass & Avolio, 1994). That can make a strong foundation that can be used for creating a business plan. With a SWOT analysis, a leader can focus on the issues that have to be corrected for the business to succeed. Until a leader is interested in working in a transformational manner, though, determining the issues will not be enough to get the problems corrected (Bass & Avolio, 1994). Whether it is at a school or at a business of another type, transformational leadership starts out with the desire to become part of a team and not "just" a leader. Anyone can order others around, but a true leader is one who has people following him or her because those followers want to be where they are (Kotlyar & Karakowsky, 2006). When people follow a leader happily and willingly,...

Principals and teachers can both work as transformational leaders, because they both have followers who look up to them. If they are able to work with one another, it is possible to move a school in the right direction and keep it on a strong and steady path that will help each and every student find success.
References

Bass, B.M. & Avolio, B.J. (Eds.). (1994). Improving organizational effectiveness through transformational leadership. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.

Harrison, J.P. (2010). Essentials of strategic planning in healthcare. Chapters 5 & 7. Chicago: Health Administration Press.

Kotlyar, I. & Karakowsky, L. (2006). Leading conflict? Linkages between leader behaviors and group conflict. Small Group Research, 37(4): 377-403

Mintzberg, H. (2005). Strategy safari: A guided tour through the wilds of strategic management. Chapters 10-11. New York,…