Leadership intelligence: Unlocking the potential for school leadership effectiveness

Abstract

Top performing companies have long used intelligence tests in their selection procedures to predict who the best leaders are. However, no longer are the brightest favoured, or guaranteed success. A post-modern world demands a fresh outlook on leadership. How can school leaders judge their effectiveness? How can school leaders lead intelligently? This article explores a theoretical approach to effective school leadership in an emerging context, which embraces a holistic understanding of intelligence. While individual rational (IQ), emotional (EQ) and spiritual (SQ) intelligences are necessary for a leader, their true power lies in maintaining a balance among all three. This is known as leadership intelligence (LQ).

Keywords: emotional intelligence; holistic leadership; integrated leadership; intelligence; leadership; leadership effectiveness; leadership intelligence; organisational change; rational intelligence; spiritual intelligence