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Moral Purpose

Fullan, M. (2002). 'Moral purpose writ large.' School Administrator, 59(8), 14.

In this article, Fullan (2002) writes about principled behaviour connected to something greater than ourselves that relates to human and social development. For this he adopts the phrase, 'Moral purpose writ large'.

Fullan argues that the leadership for schools of the future must be recast in more fundamental terms with a view to deeper and more sustainable reform. He states that the conception of the Principal as an instructional leader is too narrow, and that, instead, principals must go beyond leading improvements in literacy and numeracy to:

  • make a difference in the lives of students
  • commit to reducing the gap between high and low achievers in one's school or district - constantly cultivating analysis, pursuing action and monitoring all aspects of the school population
  • contribute to reducing the gap in the larger environment - connecting schools to the strength of democracy in society; connecting to the bigger picture
  • transform the working (or learning) conditions of others so that growth, commitment, engagement and leadership is fostered.

(Fullan, 2002, pp. 1-2)

Fullan argues that the above will not be achieved if leadership is idealised as being charismatic and visionary. Rather, he proposes that recent studies reveal more accessible, humble images of leaders: 'individuals who blend extreme personal humility with intense professional goodwill' and the 'three quiet virtues (of) restraint, modesty and goodwill' (Fullan, 2002, pp. 2-3).

Good leadership should not be left to chance. It requires systematically cultivating learning in specific, situational and social contexts, and developing many leaders in the wake of each leader.