Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the most necessary and the most feasibly practicable future leadership behaviors of the educational leader of a California Schools to Watch—Taking Center Stage middle school necessary to lead a school organization toward continued survival. Methodology: The participants in the present study were an expert panel of 13 current or past principals of California Schools to Watch—Taking Center Stage middle schools. The study was designed using the Delphi technique. Participants responded to three rounds of surveys. During the first round, participants provided suggestions for leadership behaviors different from those already included in the study and an initial necessity rating for each behavior. During the second round, participants rerated the necessity of each behavior rated during the first round, rated the necessity of each suggested behavior, and rated the feasibility of practicing all behaviors. During the third round, participants rerated the necessity of the suggested behaviors and rerated the feasibility of practicing all behaviors. Findings: Examination of the quantitative and qualitative data from the three rounds of surveys indicate that the most necessary behaviors when leading a school-based human organization are establishment of a vision of rigor and high expectations, establish trust, culture, honesty, and open communication. The leadership behavior of contingent rewards is the least necessary. Additionally, examinations of the same data indicate that the most feasibly practicable behaviors when leading a school-based human organization are common sense, accountability, open communication, change agent, and outreach. The leadership behavior of resources is the least feasibly practicable. Conclusions: The study data support the conclusion that many of the behaviors needed to lead the school-based human organization toward continued survival exist within the leadership domains of communication, learning, trust, and shared leadership. Recommendations: Further research is advised. Recommendations include the following: Conduct case studies of the California Schools to Watch—Taking Center Stage middle schools to determine the specific manifestations of each behavior in action; and replicate the study with expert panels consisting of high school and elementary principals.