Document Type
Issue Area Two
Abstract
I believe the best thing a school board can do for their district is show leadership by developing and supporting a vision. This vision should focus on student needs to enable them to perform adult roles in the future. To gain commitment from everyone, this vision should be shared through the school system and the community. Peter M. Senge (1990), in his book The Fifth Discipline, said:
A shared vision is not an idea. It is rather a force in people's hearts, a force of impressive power. It may be inspired by an idea, but once it goes further-if it is compelling enough to acquire the support of more than one person-then it is no longer an abstraction. It is palpable, people begin to see it as if it exists. Few, if any, forces in human affairs are as powerful as shared vision. (p. 206)
The importance of a vision cannot be underestimated. It shows leadership, planning, and stability. Because we are motivated only by a vision that is our own, leadership and collaboration to develop a unified plan are vital. These leaders must have more than an idea; they must also have a plan with a well thought-out process to be used system wide to achieve specific goals. A vision with a plan creates a focus and commitment of energy to that purpose. Strong visionary leadership will give spark and life to the entire school system.
Journal Title
Institute for Educational Leadership Monograph Series
Volume
4
Issue
1
First Page
63
Last Page
65
Publisher
Institute for Educational Leadership, University of Northern Iowa
City
Cedar Falls, IA
Copyright
©1993 Institute for Educational Leadership, College of Education, and University of Northern Iowa
Language
en
File Format
application/pdf
Recommended Citation
Thomsen, Karen
(1993)
"Using Strategic Planning to Develop a Vision,"
Institute for Educational Leadership Monograph Series: Vol. 4:
No.
1, Article 20.
Available at:
https://scholarworks.uni.edu/iel_monographs/vol4/iss1/20
