Educational administrative practitioners evaluate theories, implement practices and refine leadership strategies daily. The exploration of the leadership gap between theory and praxis is a quantum undertaking. Quantum physicists explain the predictable behavior of particles and the energy they contain using quantum mechanics (Izquierdo-Aymerich and Aduriz-Bravo 2009). The manipulation and prediction of behavior allows leaders to bring about desired outcomes. Leadership, a human phenomenon embedded in culture, represents many things to different people (Ciulla 2008). Researchers have examined leadership skills from a variety of perspectives (Ciulla 2008). No single trait or combination of traits has been identified that fully explains a leaders' ability to bring about positive change, but most agree there are energy investments necessary in all areas (Robinson, Lloyd et al. 2008). There exists a plethora of leadership theories, styles, paradigms and ideas. Leadership from the educational perspective takes many forms and presents many challenges. In an attempt to examine leadership from several diverse perspectives, topics such as Leadership for Technology, Transformational vs. Servant Leadership: A Comparative Analysis, Synergistic Leadership: A Gender Inclusive Theory, Spiritual and Ethical Leadership, Leading from Below the Surface, Leading in Rural Appalachia, How Leaders Use Their Opposable Minds will be investigated.
According to the quantum theory, leadership at the atomic level involves transferring discrete packets of energy into particles to propel them into an excited state (Izquierdo-Aymerich and Aduriz-Bravo 2009). In order for particles to remain in this new environment, energy must be constantly supplied to the particle. In order for leaders to initiate change, large investments of energy must be made initially to effect change. Once a quantum leap has been made, the energy required to maintain the change is exponentially less than that required to effect the original change. Leadership at the atomic level is independent of state. Effecting change from a transformational, spiritual, synergistic, or emotional vantage point requires the input of quantum packets of energy. Whether Leading from Below the Surface, in rural Appalachia or with an Opposable Mind, leaders cannot opt for energy input below the threshold required to effect change. From the quantum frame of reference, it is an all or nothing process. Without the required discrete packet of energy input, particles quickly come to rest in the non-excited state. The law of conservation of energy governs energy investments made by educators. The finite amount of energy in all systems can be converted in form, but no new energy can be created. Effective leaders find a way to sustain necessary energy input in spite of stresses placed on other critical system components(Wells 2009).
The goal of this project is to produce a working body of leadership theory and information addressing issues of teaching and learning. Finding ways to effect change and balance the energy needs of delicate systems becomes more challenging every day. As administrative practitioners, the opportunity to quantum leap from theory to practice occurs often. Individuals will examine parallel theories, derive new ideas and present concepts drawn from both theory and practice. The Virginia Tech Doctoral Cohort hopes to succeed in advancing the understanding of different approaches to leadership and the methods by which leadership can be practiced more effectively.
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