Open AccessTransformational School Leadership from a Neo-Daoist Lens
Author(s) -
Yenming Zhang,
Charlene Tan
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
philosophical inquiry in education
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2369-8659
DOI - 10.7202/1079432ar
Subject(s) - transformational leadership , autocracy , contemplation , criticism , epistemology , judgement , sociology , psychology , leadership style , ambiguity , aesthetics , social psychology , political science , philosophy , law , democracy , politics , linguistics
In this article, we aim to extend the existing literature on the theory oftransformational school leadership through a neo-Daoist lens. Focussing on the writings ofthe third-century Chinese philosopher Wang Bi, we make three arguments. First, his ideaspromote a transformational leader who effects change through ziran (spontaneity or naturalactions). Second, such leaders inspire all of their staff to work towards a communitarianvision by exercising situational judgement and wuming (namelessness). Third, Wang’sphilosophy has the potential to address a major criticism concerning the abuse of power intransformational leadership. A neo-Daoist leader does not seek to push for changes in anautocratic, divisive, and hurried manner. Instead, such a leader draws strength fromcontemplative practice and contextual sensitivity to foster harmoniousrelationships.