Characteristics of Wise Leadership Practices in an Educational Setting: A Content Analysis

Abstract

Leadership practices encompass a range of behaviours, actions, and attitudes that leaders utilise to effectively steer and guide their teams towards a shared objective. Nevertheless, there is a scarcity of research that clearly delineates the attributes of smart leadership, despite its significance in educational contexts. This study aims to investigate the diverse characteristics of wise leadership practice in an educational setting. This study employs a content analysis technique to scrutinise the current literature and identify the fundamental themes and strategies that have successfully fostered wise leadership in educational settings. The completed content analysis yielded seven (7) distinct characteristics of wise leadership practices in an educational setting, specifically: (a) lifelong learners for self-reflection; (b) emotional and cultural competence; (c) ability to manage emotional conflicts; (d) self-discipline and self-control; (e) innovative and encouraging creativity; (f) supportive and collaborative in relationships; and (g) effective interpersonal communication skills. In conclusion, this study has provided useful insights into effective leadership strategies in educational environments by conducting a thorough analysis of numerous studies. Future studies should prioritise the thorough investigation of sensible leadership techniques in education.