ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the need for, and the benefits of, transformative leadership theory and presents some concluding thoughts and, hopefully, some encouragement for moving forward. The hypotheses are fleshed out in some tenets that reflect the work of many scholars to explain the basic concepts of transformative leadership. The mandate for deep and equitable change requires transformative leaders to know themselves, their school or organizational context, and their communities, to determine where there are inequities and to commit to redressing them. An emphasis on both private and public good stresses the need to take social and cultural conditions into consideration in the development of policies and implementation of practices that address individual behavior. The call to exhibit moral courage reminds educators of the difficulties and challenges of being a transformative leader. These tenets, taken together, provide guidance for truly transforming education in ways that acknowledge a combination of historical forces, present needs, and future hopes.
