Mahoney

This type of certainty represents one of the greatest challenges in leadership. How do we know what is true? How do we know what policies to promote, what actions to carry out?

The study of leadership is an interdisciplinary field that brings together various theoretical and historical approaches in order to shed light on the complexities of the leadership process. 

One of the best known of these paradigms, transformational leadership, concerns itself with values, ethics, moral principles, and the dignity of people. 

Transformational leadership involves processes whereby a leader engages with others and creates human connections that raise the levels of morality for everyone.

Here in the Department of Leadership and Administration, we value the transformational leadership approach. 

We promote a higher standard of leadership in which people engage in behaviors that are ethical in their foundation. 

In contrast to the myth of the heroic leader who faces crises without flinching, makes difficult decisions without questioning, and implements policies and organizational demands without regard for the consequences, we believe in the humanity of leaders . . . people who might question the organizational imperative, people who might question their own certainty, people who might consult others, people, who by questioning their own certainty, might make better decisions and become more effective leaders. 

We also understand that leadership is not vested solely in positional authority, that there is such a thing as leadership without authority. Our programs and our courses are designed to help leaders - with and without authority - improve their capacity and their skills.