What is Leadership in Education?

Leigh Blackall has raised a very important point in the wake my posts today regarding the idea of “assuming a position of leadership” in education, which continues to resonate quite strongly with me. However at the same time, the more I think about it, the more I find myself grappling with the idea of what “leadership” actually looks like in practice, and what qualities or characteristics define an effective leader.

For instance, does a good leader lead by example, or by word; are they clear and articulate in their goals and expectations, or do they reveal their objectives nonverbally through action and deed; do they consider or solicit the experiences and desires of others in their vision, or do they instead define and pursuit their own ideals with dogged determinism?

I’m quite interested in what people have to say, so if you would be willing to leave a comment (long or short) describing what “educational leadership” means to you, or what characterises an effective leader, I would really appreciate it.

Update: The bulk of this conversation ended up happening in the comments area of my post “Taking a Job in the Faculties.”