Open AccessCultivating Leadership Imagination with Cognitive Tools: An Imagination-Focused Approach to Leadership Education
Author(s) -
Gillian Judson
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of research on leadership education
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 1942-7751
DOI - 10.1177/19427751211022028
Subject(s) - imagination , analogy , cognition , sociology , leadership studies , educational leadership , psychology , epistemology , leadership style , pedagogy , social psychology , cognitive psychology , philosophy , neuroscience
This conceptual and practical paper aims to expand understanding of imagination in ways that have direct implications for leadership education and research. First, imagination is conceptualized as soil, an analogy that can address misconceptions about imagination and broaden understanding of the multiple ways it contributes to leadership. Next, an educational theory called Imaginative Education (IE) is introduced that offers theoretical understanding of imagination and practical tools for its development. Finally, what imagination yields in terms of individual and collective leadership processes is described along with specific “cognitive tools” that may be used to cultivate imagination in school leadership.