This study examines senior education officers' (SEOs) perceptions of the
meanings and characteristics of the term 'leadership' both from their
traditional PNG and Western perspectives. Data were drawn from
questionnaires returned by 20 SEOs, 2 recorded interviews and a focus-group
methodology.
The purposes of the study are to: (i) define the meaning of leadership from
the senior education officers' perspectives and through the review of the
literature; and (ii) identify key characteristics and skills of the leadership role
of senior education officers in PNG today, as a basis for improving practice
and informing knowledge about leadership.
Respondents were asked to define the meaning of the term leadership, and to
describe their most memorable leadership experiences which may have
helped to shape their understanding of leadership. They were also asked to
identify and to list the key leadership functions, qualities and skills/abilities
which they perceive to be most important in their roles today, and for the
foreseeable future.
Literature on leadership is complex and wide ranging. Those which provided
data of particular significance in specific areas directly related to this study
include: Rost (1991) on the definitions of leadership; Kouzes and Posner (1993
and 1987) in relation to characteristics of leadership; on educational
leadership (Sergiovanni et al 1987, Turney et al 1992, and Fullan 1991 and
1992) in relation to the functions, qualities and related skills/abilities of
educational leaders; on culture and cross-cultural studies (Hallinger and
Leithwood 1996, Heck 1996, Bates 1992); and various ethnographic sources on
PNG and Melanesian traditional and contemporary leadership.
A number of significant findings have emerged through this research study.
The first, relates to a firm view of traditional PNG/Melanesian leadership as a
'shared leadership', defined in this study as a shared influence relationship
among members of a social unit through a mutual quest for their existence.
The notion of shared leadership emphasises the importance of reciprocal
generosity, cooperation and competition for Melanesians in their daily quest
for their needs and aspirations based on mutual concern, care and devotion
for one another. The great diversity of people and cultures of Melanesians
also enriches the view of 'leadership as cultural practice' (Gerstner and O'Day
1995, Heck 1996, Bates 1992) and the interplay of 'education as cultural
construction'. These insepearable concepts provide logical and promising
framework both towards transcending knowledge, cultures and poeple, and
an interest to engage in more cross-cultural research.
This study identifies among the most pressing problems of contemporary
leadership in PNG relates to the inability of leaders to transcend traditional
knowledge and customary practices with the new Western knowledge and
practices. In other words, the problems of transcending the notion of 'shared
leadership' with Western leadership characterised by public accountability,
credibility and integrity normally associated with leadership in public office
cannot easily be matched and transferred. This study suggests a 'transcendent
leadership model' as a potential solution toward achieving this end.
Extending beyond one's own limits, to do something extraordinary and
admirable for the common good is what transcendent leadership model
suggests every leader must be able to do. The foundations of transcendent
behaviour the literature suggests include: moral and ethical living (Starratt
1996); ambition, competence, and integrity (Bennis and Goldsmith 1994); and
honesty, forward-outlook and inspiration (Kouzes and Posner 1993).
The literature indicates that these qualities and skills require proper
'intellectual conditioning' (Ramoi 1987, Narakobi 1991), to produce 'educated
persons' (Starratt 1996) who are able to understand, appreciate, critique, and
participate in their cultures, traditions, and history.
This study therefore investigates and defines the meanings, roles and
functions of the concepts of leadership, culture and education in relation to
the cross-cultural conditions of the work of SEOs in PNG.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:ADTP/218604 |
| Date | January 1998 |
| Creators | Koro, Paul, n/a |
| Publisher | University of Canberra. Education |
| Source Sets | Australiasian Digital Theses Program |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Rights | ), Copyright Paul Koro |
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