Exploring trust: culturally responsive and positive school leadership
Journal of Educational Administration
ISSN: 0957-8234
Article publication date: 25 October 2021
Issue publication date: 10 May 2022
Abstract
Purpose
This article explores the connection between Culturally Responsive School Leadership (CRSL) and Positive School Leadership (PSL) and how both engage with a concept that deeply connects both leadership expressions – trust.
Design/methodology/approach
A multi-year, single site case study method examined a district-level equity leader, and her struggles and successes with promoting equity and positive culture throughout a large suburban district in the US.
Findings
Trust, established through regular interactions, allowed the district's leadership equity team to build positive relationships with building leaders. Trust was not only a mitigating factor on the relationships themselves, but also regulated the extent to which equitable practices were discussed and implemented in the district. Trust allowed conflicts to surface and be addressed that led to individual and organizational change.
Research limitations/implications
The case highlights the importance of both CRSL and PSL principals, along with the idea of “soft power” in cultural change, to foster equity in schools. Established trust does not erase the difficulties of enacting CRSL/PSL, but allows the difficulties to be addressed. The authors found that dynamic, iterative, regular interactions over a long period reinforced trust allowed CRPSL to take root in the district.
Originality/value
The authors use a single subject case to argue that the core of empirical work moving forward should draw on an integration of culturally responsive leadership.
Keywords
Citation
Banwo, B.O., Khalifa, M. and Seashore Louis, K. (2022), "Exploring trust: culturally responsive and positive school leadership", Journal of Educational Administration, Vol. 60 No. 3, pp. 323-339. https://doi.org/10.1108/JEA-03-2021-0065
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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