Towards the Future: Rethinking the Leadership Role of the Principal as Philosopher‐King

The current reform movement in education has significant implications for the development of future models of site‐level leadership. Much of the recent attention in the educational administration literature about necessary leadership qualities and the preparation of effective school principals, however, does not consider the relationship of such personal qualities of the leader to other contextual variables and socio‐political processes that may also influence principal behaviour. Current theoretical orientations and research on the principal as leader and suggestions for future research which will facilitate the preparation of effective school administrators are examined. The article rests on the belief that given the current demands for implementing school‐level reforms, perhaps too much in terms of leadership is being ascribed to one individual role.