For some, a leader stands above us and apart from us, in a position of authority, and guides us toward a vision. For others, leaders are one of us, inclusive in process, and highly transparent as we move toward the vision. Both can be inspiring and also can be successful. The heavy lift rests in the blending of these; the yearning for the patriarch who vowed to take care of us all and so we followed and the yearning to own a part of the leadership process with efficacy seeking a leader who will listen, include, communicate, and collaborate. Today's educational leader is most often called to be that blended person, keeping one eye on her/his educated belief about the horizon line and the harbor and the other on the community she/he serves to attend and strengthen the coalition of followers. But, let a crisis happen and watch followers scan for an older style. Read more...