Improving leadership by nurturing moral consciousness through structured self-reflection

Journal article


Branson, Christopher Michael. (2007). Improving leadership by nurturing moral consciousness through structured self-reflection. Journal of Educational Administration.
AuthorsBranson, Christopher Michael
Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this research is to report on research that explores the use of structured self‐reflection to nurture moral consciousness as a means of enhancing the moral leadership capacity of existing school principals. Design/methodology/approach – Given that this research focuses on each participant's subjective reality, the epistemology of pragmatic constructivism was chosen to guide this qualitative study supported by the theoretical perspective of symbolic interactionism. Furthermore, a case study was chosen as the appropriate orchestrating perspective and an opportunistic sample of six school principals formed the participants in this case study. Findings – Data from this research support the view that the moral consciousness of each of the participating principals in this study was clearly enhanced by their experience of structured self‐reflection. Research limitations/implications – Due to the demanding nature of structured self‐reflection this approach takes a considerable amount of time. Also, as the reflection process is a very personal experience, the amount of time taken will vary noticeably amongst the participants. In addition, the ethical implications in facilitating structured self‐reflection are an extremely important implication. Participants must be made fully aware of the nature of such an experience so that not only can they voluntarily choose not to participate but also that they avoid reflecting on past experiences that engender sadness or anxiety within them should they choose to participate. Practical implications – Given the strong moral expectations now demanded of contemporary leaders, which implies that this is not a natural trait, structured self‐reflection affords a clearly achievable means for nurturing a leader's moral consciousness as an essential step in their professional development in moral leadership. Originality/value – The paper addresses the acknowledged blank spot in moral leadership research by providing a practical and effective way for positively influencing the leader's moral leadership development.

KeywordsLeadership; Consciousness; Principals
Year2007
JournalJournal of Educational Administration
PublisherEmerald Group Publishing Ltd
Page range471 - 495
Research GroupSchool of Education
Place of publicationNorthampton,United Kingdom
EditorsR. Fitzgerald and W. Housley
Permalink -

https://acuresearchbank.acu.edu.au/item/87437/improving-leadership-by-nurturing-moral-consciousness-through-structured-self-reflection

  • 143
    total views
  • 0
    total downloads
  • 6
    views this month
  • 0
    downloads this month
These values are for the period from 19th October 2020, when this repository was created.

Export as

Related outputs

Bringing purpose and peace-of-mind to the role of a Catholic school middle leader
Buchanan, Michael T., Branson, Christopher M. and Marra, Maureen. (2022). Bringing purpose and peace-of-mind to the role of a Catholic school middle leader. British Journal of Religious Education. 44(3), pp. 304-314. https://doi.org/10.1080/01416200.2021.2008314
Catholic school leadership revisited
Branson, Christopher M., Hall, David, Sultmann, William and Kidson, Paul. (2021). Catholic school leadership revisited. Educatio Catholica. 7(3-4), pp. 121-144.
Re-constructing Catholic school leadership : Integrating mission, identity and practice
Branson, Christopher, Marra, Maureen and Buchanan, Michael. (2019). Re-constructing Catholic school leadership : Integrating mission, identity and practice. International Studies in Catholic Education. 11(2), pp. 219-232. https://doi.org/10.1080/19422539.2019.1641053
Leadership as a relational phenomenon : What this means in practice
Branson, Christopher M. and Marra, Maureen. (2019). Leadership as a relational phenomenon : What this means in practice. Research in Educational Administration and Leaders. 4(1), pp. 81-108. https://doi.org/10.30828/real/2019.1.4
A theory-to-practice leadership learning arrangement in a university context
Franken, Margaret, Branson, Chris and Penney, Dawn. (2018). A theory-to-practice leadership learning arrangement in a university context. International Journal of Leadership in Education. 21(4), pp. 491 - 505. https://doi.org/10.1080/13603124.2016.1247196
In search of seamless education
Branson, Christopher, Morrison, Michele and McNae, Rachel. (2016). In search of seamless education. In In S. J. Shapiro and J. P. Gross (Ed.). Democratic Ethical Educational Leadership: Reclaiming School Reform pp. 138 - 143 Routledge.
Middle leadership in higher education: A relational analysis
Branson, Christopher M., Franken, Margaret and Penney, Dawn. (2016). Middle leadership in higher education: A relational analysis. Educational Management, Administration & Leadership. 44(1), pp. 128 - 145. https://doi.org/10.1177/1741143214558575
The reintegration of Tongan postgraduate scholars after study abroad: Knowledge utilisation and resituation
Franken, Margaret, Langi, Nautalus Tuituiovai Kaho and Branson, Christopher. (2016). The reintegration of Tongan postgraduate scholars after study abroad: Knowledge utilisation and resituation. Asia Pacific Education Review. 17(4), pp. 691 - 702. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12564-016-9462-5
Multiple hues : New Zealand school leaders' perceptions of social justice
Morrison, Michele, McNae, Rachel and Branson, Christopher. (2015). Multiple hues : New Zealand school leaders' perceptions of social justice. Journal of Educational Leadership Policy and Practice. 30(1), pp. 4 - 16.
Tui tui tuituia - Weaving together : What can be generalized from these articles?
Branson, Christopher, Morrison, Michele and McNae, Rachel. (2015). Tui tui tuituia - Weaving together : What can be generalized from these articles? Journal of Educational Leadership Policy and Practice. 30(1), pp. 119 - 128.
Personal values of principals and their manifestation in student behaviour : A district-level study in Pakistan
Branson, Christopher, Baig, Sharifullah and Begum, Abida. (2015). Personal values of principals and their manifestation in student behaviour : A district-level study in Pakistan. Educational Management, Administration & Leadership. 43(1), pp. 107 - 128. https://doi.org/10.1177/1741143213510505
Middle leaders' learning in a university context
Franken, Margaret, Penney, Dawn and Branson, Christopher. (2015). Middle leaders' learning in a university context. Journal of Higher Education Policy and Management. 37(2), pp. 190 - 203. https://doi.org/10.1080/1360080X.2015.1019120
Educational change leadership through a new zonal theory lens : Using mathematics curriculum change as the example
Lamb, Janeen and Branson, Christopher. (2015). Educational change leadership through a new zonal theory lens : Using mathematics curriculum change as the example. Policy Futures in Education. 13(8), pp. 1010 - 1026. https://doi.org/10.1177/1478210315588840
Professional learning in the lives of teachers: Towards a new framework for conceptualising teacher learning
Cameron, Sandra, Mulholland, Judith and Branson, Christopher. (2013). Professional learning in the lives of teachers: Towards a new framework for conceptualising teacher learning. Asia-Pacific Journal of Teacher Education. 41(4), pp. 377 - 397. https://doi.org/10.1080/1359866X.2013.838620
The wisdom-based face of organizations
Branson, Christopher. (2011). The wisdom-based face of organizations. In In M.A.Sarlak (Ed.). The New Faces of Organizations in the 21st Century pp. 173 - 204 North American Institute of Science and Informatio....
Leading educational change wisely
Branson, Christopher M.. (2010). Leading educational change wisely Sense Publishers.
Free to become: the essence of learning and leading
Branson, Christopher. (2010). Free to become: the essence of learning and leading. In pp. 85 - 104 Emerald Group Publishing Ltd.
Ethical decision making: Is personal moral integrity the missing link?
Branson, Chris. (2010). Ethical decision making: Is personal moral integrity the missing link? Journal of Authentic Leadership in Education. 1(1), pp. 1 - 8.
Leadership for an age of wisdom
Branson, Christopher. (2009). Leadership for an age of wisdom Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-90-481-2996-6
Finding a philosophical framework in support of 'presence'
Branson, Chris. (2009). Finding a philosophical framework in support of 'presence'. Leadership and Organization Development Journal. 30(3), pp. 224 - 239. https://doi.org/10.1108/01437730910949517
Achieving organisational change through values alignment
Branson, Chris. (2008). Achieving organisational change through values alignment. Journal of Educational Administration. 46(3), pp. 376 - 395. https://doi.org/10.1108/09578230810869293
Effects of structured self-reflection on the development of authentic leadership practices among Queensland primary school principals
Branson, Chris. (2007). Effects of structured self-reflection on the development of authentic leadership practices among Queensland primary school principals. Educational Management, Administration & Leadership. 35(2), pp. 225 - 246. https://doi.org/10.1177/1741143207075390
Beyond authenticity: Contemporary leadership from a worldview perspective
Branson, Chris. (2006). Beyond authenticity: Contemporary leadership from a worldview perspective. Values and Ethics in Educational Administration. 4(4), pp. 1 - 8.
Focusing on Literacy :A Whole School Approach Preschool to Year 12
Branson, Christopher Michael, Young, Janelle Patricia, Parkinson, John and Johnson, Ruth. (2005). Focusing on Literacy :A Whole School Approach Preschool to Year 12. In Janelle Young (Ed.). Pleasure; Passion; Provocation: Proceedings of the AATE/ALEA National Conference. , Australia: AATE/ALEA Professional Organisations. pp. 1 - 14
Exploring the concept of values-led principalship
Branson, Christopher Michael. (2005). Exploring the concept of values-led principalship. Leading & Managing.
Values led principalship: Myths and realities
Spry, Gayle and Branson, Christopher Michael. (2005). Values led principalship: Myths and realities. In P. Jeffrey (Ed.). Australian Association for Research in Education 2004 Conference Papers. Melbourne, Australia: Australian Association for Research in Education. pp. 1 - 19
An exploration of the concept of values-led principalship
Branson, Christopher Michael. (2004). An exploration of the concept of values-led principalship [Thesis]. https://doi.org/10.4226/66/5a8f96300f3f5