Chapter 1: Building Capacity: The Foundation of Developing Others

In Good to Great, Collins (2001) talks about the importance of leadership that “builds enduring greatness” in the organization, rather than focusing on short-term results. In the same vein, Mintzberg (2004) claims “successful managing is not about one’s own success but about fostering success in others” (p. 16). Similar declarations are found referring specifically to leadership in education. For example, Fullan, Bertani, and Quinn (2004) state “the main mark of successful leaders is not their impact on student learning at the end of their tenure, but rather the number of good leaders they leave behind who can go even further” (p. 44). Earlier, Fullan (2002) stated that the criterion for selecting an educational leader should be based on that individual’s capacity to “…create the conditions under which other leaders will flourish, leaving a continuing effect beyond their term” (p. 7). All of these remarks refer to the importance of building leadership capacity within the organization.