Leadership Interview Analysis
Hamid Ikram, Gerry, and Muhammad Riaz
EDE-9811-70561-201307: : Theories of Social Organization
Dowling College
Dr. Elsa-Sofia Morote;
Leadership Interview Analysis
Interview Information
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Dr. Steven Chessman
Position: Associate Superintendent of Schools
Date: July 21, 2013
Time: 11:30 am to 12:30Pm
Location: Diocese of Rockville Centre
Dr. Steven Chessman
Dr. Steven Chessman completed his doctoral
Degree from Dowling college Long Island in 2002.
His research interest area is “ Implementation of
change at the workplace” Now he is working as
Associate Superintendent of Schools( five high
schools and forty three
elementary schools)
Diocese of Rockville Centre. His main task is
design strategic plans and evaluative the change
in organization.
Leadership Interview Analysis
Interview Questions
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Hamid: Dr. Steven in what year you earned your doctorate degree and what was your research
about?
Hamid: What are your responsibilities at your current position?
Hamid: How are you applying your research findings in your current leading position?
Hamid: How do you evaluate success?
Riaz: Leaders are born or made? What is your point of view?
Riaz: What traits are required for a leader to be effective? Do you think people can learn to be a
leader?
Riaz: What are the common challenges that every leader has in the organization?
Riaz: In your opinion, does a leader need to apply different leadership styles to cope with different
challenges in the organization? For example Autocratic, Bureaucratic, Democratic leadership
style.
Gerry: How do you see the transition from transactional leadership styles to transformational
leadership styles? (Bureaucratic leadership to democratic and servant leadership)
Gerry: Some of the key characteristics of transformational leadership (servant leadership) style
are empowering the subordinates, involving them in decision making process, developing them
professionally. In your opinion, how practical is this theory/style in the organization?
Hamid: Last question, as a current leader, what can you advise to the future generations?
Leadership Interview Analysis
Leadership/Follower/Situation Interactional Framework
(as applied to the interview responses)
Leader
Flexibility, Communication, and Courage are key values
Follower
Collaboration, Professionalism,
and Utilize the expertise of the collective
group, Emphasis on building consensus
Situation
Nurturing, High Expectations,
and Collegiality regarding instruction
and educational environment
Leadership Interview Analysis
Reflections
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This activity allowed me to reflect on my own leadership assumptions and the
importance of communication in all areas of educational leadership (Blanchard,
1992).
The interview also reaffirmed my personal belief in the importance of relationships
(Marzano, McNulty, & Waters, 2005). Mr. Felix provided several scenarios that
demonstrated this key factor in school leadership.
While collaboration was stated numerous times during the interview, it was clear that
the process leading toward implementation of an initiative was more important than
the actual implementation. Often times the process (which includes collaborative
efforts, valuing the current culture, and developing a shared vision which in turn
allows for team learning) is forsaken in order to forge ahead (Bolman & Deal 1997;
Senge, 1990). This is a common mistake in current leadership due to the pressures
of accountability based on standardized test performance.
As an educational leader it is always important to be mindful that at times
philosophical differences will arise among school participants. How a leader deals
with this has a great deal to say about the success or failure of a leader.
Interview Analysis Wordle:
This was a by-product of this project and is a representation of information gathered
during the interview.
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http://www.wordle.net/show/wrdl/1607777/Interview_Anaylsis
Leadership Interview Analysis
The following links support the assertions and interview responses collected, as well as
provide reflections offered:
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Peter Senge discusses the creative process vs. the problem-solving process
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRIOc7RQ93g
Dr. Marzano challenges educators to be open to second order change and
emphasizes the importance of solid leadership and committed faculty to see schools
through difficult changes in order to achieve success.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iv7crrER_S4
Leadership Interview Analysis
References
Blanchard, K. H. (1982). The one minute manager. New York: Harper Collins.
Bolman, L. G., & Deal, T. E. (1997). Reframing Organizations: Artistry, Choice, and
Leadership (4th ed.). San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
Marzano, R. J., McNulty, B. A., & Waters, T. (2005). School leadership that works: From
research to results. Aurora, CO: Mid-continent Research for Education and
Learning.
Senge, P. M. (1990). The Fifth Discipline: The Art and Practice of the Learning
Organization. New York: Currency Doubleday.