Introduction
Today, change in most organizations is inevitable. Organizations have been forced to change how they conduct their business to survive. Change significantly has ensured organizations are turned in another direction “to fundamentally modify the way things are done, to overhaul the structure-the design of the organization for decision making and accountability and to provide organizational members with a whole new vision for the future” (Burke, 2002, p.1). As some studies have tried to refute the role of leadership in organizational change, immense literature and findings have proved that organizational leaders do make a difference especially in relation to organizational change (Burke, 2002, p.240). For instance, organization leaders have the potential to build, hurt or destroy completely an organization. However, other studies have shown that leaders at the same time can help their organizations add value.
St. Luke’s School
The school was established in 1928 by Edward Blakely who was a Harvard graduate and further named in celebration of the properties of “sound mind and sound body” (St. Luke School, n.d). The school has cultivated a long history where community sense is promoted and the guiding philosophies have been to “Enter to Learn, Go Forth to serve” (St. Luke School, n.d). The school prides itself in having one of the best and dynamic, rigorous academic programs that include innovative technology which aims to produce highly qualified graduates and various leaders. As explained by the institution’s head, Mark Davis, one of the core values at St. Luke School is a good character that at the same time is tied to love of learning, the pursuit of excellence, and community whereby the school’s graduates are trained to serve and make meaning of their lives, making themselves unique productive citizens and ethical leaders (St. Luke School, n.d).
One individual who has steered the institution to the realization of its mission and vision is Mark Davis, the head of the institution. He has demonstrated a unique leadership style that has endeavored many at the institution.
Transformational Leadership
The assumption of this leadership style is that people will follow a person who inspires them, an individual who has vision and passion, and who demonstrates an ability to achieve great things (Changing Minds, n.d). These leaders have a tendency to care about other people and they would always want them to succeed; and in leading, these kinds of leaders start by developing a vision that they get hooked to, then they embark on a mission to sell their vision to other members. In most cases, leaders know where they want to go and hence will only need others to follow them; and in case they don’t have such a strategy, they are always ready to lead the exploration of the viable ways to where it will be successful. Moreover, these leaders will always prefer transformation anywhere they work.
Mark Davis
As the head of St. Luke School, Mark has cultivated the status of a transformational leader where he always sees that students adjust to the school environment very fast with his help. The head has fostered the school’s strong system that provides support to new and anxious students. In addition, the head believes incapacity of other stakeholders such as the teachers, friends, advisors, coaches, and parents in transforming the new students into productive people in society. Furthermore, Mark Davis has established six habits that define a successful student and these habits have become core elements at St. Luke that Mark always lectures the new students on (St. Luke School, n.d).
Conclusion
Transformational leadership in an organization will strive to create a sense of purpose and a feeling of family. Commitments become long-term and mutual interests are generally shared with a sense of shared fates and interdependence of leaders and followers. Mark Davis, as the head of St. Luke, has strived to create this type of leadership in the institution, which continues to make the institution one of the best in Connecticut.
References
Burke, W. W. (2002). Organization change: theory and practice. CA, SAGE. Web.
Changing Minds. (N.d). Transformational Leadership. Web.
St. Luke School. (N.d). The Six Habits of Highly Successful St. Luke’s Students. Web.