School counselors as program leaders: applying leadership contexts to school counseling

Professional School Counseling, June, 2003 by Colette T. Dollarhide

Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. (1997). The Wisconsin Developmental Guidance Model: A resource and planning guide. Madison, WI: Author.

Leadership Contexts and Activities Applied to School Counseling

Leadership Context              Leadership Activities Applied to School
                                Counseling

Structural leadership:          1. Build the foundation of an effective
Leadership in the building         school counseling program.
of viable organizations         2. Attain technical mastery of
                                   counseling and education.
                                3. Design strategies for growth of the
                                   school counseling program.
                                4. Implement an effective school
                                   counseling program.

Human resource leadership:
Leadership via empowerment      1. Believe in people.
and inspiration of followers    2. Communicate that belief.
                                3. Be visible and accessible.
                                4. Empower others.

Political leadership:
Leadership in the use of        1. Understand the distribution of power
interpersonal and                  within the building and district.
organizational power            2. Build linkages with important
                                   stakeholders (e.g., parents,
                                   administrators, teachers, board
                                   members).
                                3. Use persuasion and negotiation.

Symbolic leadership:
Leadership via the              1. Use symbols and metaphors to gain
interpretation and                 attention of followers.
re-interpretation of the        2. Frame experience in meaningful ways
meaning of change                  for followers.
                                3. Discover and communicate a vision.
                                4. Maintain a relationship with the
                                   community you represent (e.g.,
                                   students, parents, school
                                   colleagues).
                                5. Model health on all levels to
                                   inspire others.
                                6. Lead by example.

Colette T. Dollarhide, Ed.D., NCC, LPC, is an associate professor, Department of Counselor Education, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. E-mail: ctdollarhi@aol.com