Creativity: An essential component for effective leadership in today's schools

This study was designed to determine the presence of passion for work, independence, goal setting, originality, flexibility, wide range of interests, intelligence, and motivation as indicators of leadership. The population of the study consisted of four effective principals from Southwestern school districts who achieved a score of 4.0 on the National Association for Secondary School Principals Assessment Center. The major focus was to determine if those principals, perceived as effective, do engage in creative behavior. Data were compiled and analyzed for frequency of creative behavior using a multi-method analysis. The sources of information were principals' questionnaire and an in-depth interview. The results of the study are organized by the following two research questions: To what extent are perceived uses of specific traits of creativity exhibited by effective principals in conducting their professional responsibilities? and How often do successful principals self report on the variables passion for work, independence, goal setting, originality, flexibility, wide range of interests, intelligence and creativity, and motivation? This article concludes that effective principals perceive themselves as having passion for work, independence, goal setting, originality, flexibility, wide range of interests, intelligence, and motivation as indicators of leadership which suggests the need to consider creativity for preparation programs that train future leaders to develop their creative potential to the fullest.