ABSTRACT
This chapter emphasizes the importance of political philosophy, and point out that it is important for leaders to understand their espoused and operational philosophies. It explains the concept of political literacy and also explores ideas related to micropolitics, mesopolitics and macropolitics. The chapter offers a set of discussion and action prompts intended to help readers think through the various ways that ideas in the chapter are helpful to everyday leadership in education. It discusses several political philosophies, identifying key concepts that leaders use when making decisions from that perspective. Transparency and communication are key to the practice of political leadership. Making sure that decision-making rationales, processes and outcomes are effectively communicated to people in the organization will go a long way toward helping create equitable policies, helping people to be vested in school processes and distributing the work of the school in an authentic manner.
