The principal, the head of a school, the center pillar of the institution, the decision maker of the campus, bears a heavy weight in ensuring that the school runs smoothly and properly year in and year out. But, how does a principal carry out a lot of duties and responsibilities? How does he manage to execute tasks and make important decisions for the school? How does he view the institution in terms of performance rating?
In the corporate world, there are four kinds of managers. According to Sisney 2011, there are the Producers, the Stabilizers, the Innovators and the Unifier. These styles can also be incorporated to the education system. The principal being the manager of the school can be any of these three as it may manifest on how they execute their tasks and how they make decisions on important matters.
A principal may become a PRODUCER if he mainly focuses on what to do. Making sure that when problems arise he sits on it to solve it right away. By doing so, he gets the results he expects. Focusing on individual tasks and making sure that all of them are done. A strict compliance to her time schedule is his best asset. But the problem for this kind is that there are times that problems come one after another and if ever that his subordinates are not working at heis pace it may mean bigger problems.
The next type of principal is the STABILIZER. This type mainly focuses on the process of making decisions and executing tasks. This principal ensures that the rules that govern specific situations are followed so as to avoid any other complications resulting to further problems. Mainly he is driven by the notion on how to do things. Though this type creates a very structured and well organized system of implementation, this type takes time to study the matter before implementing a solution. This won’t do very well on time sensitive issues that need immediate actions.
The next type of principal is the INNOVATOR. This principal is result oriented but in an unorthodox manner. He is focused on achieving things but having it done in a different way. In short, he is a risk taker. If ever that a method may take too long to take effect or too complicated, this type principal will try to device new ways and means of getting things done. He often asks himself “If the end result would be the same why not do it this way or that way?” This type of principal is primarily dynamic, creative and open to possibilities. On the other hand, if his subordinates are not as supportive as he expects they would be to his ideas fearing that the idea might not work or it is a waste of effort, he might find it hard to make things done.
Lastly, the UNIFIER is a type of principal that responds to everything and everyone involved. He is more focused on the process just like the stabilizer but takes unstructured measures to achieve results like the innovator. He assures harmony among his subordinates. Basically, he is driven by the notion of who is involved with what. He believes that if people work cooperatively and harmoniously things will be done appropriately. Although teachers and heads are directly under his jurisdictions, these individuals still there will be one or two who won’t be able to work as a team. If the principal fails to create a bond between his subordinates, his style is sure to fail.
The four kinds of management styles and their characteristics can be summarized in the table below as adapted to Sisney 2011.
Type Focus Result Concerns Catalyst Inhibitor
Producer What to do Immediate Not enough time Working hard Not working hard
Stabilizer How to do Accurate Not enough control Follows process Not doing it right
Innovator Why not do Creative Too many ideas Supportive team Risk of doing it
Unifier who will do Harmonious Too many conflicts Cooperative team Uncooperative members

Reference:
Sisney, Lex, The Four Styles of Management, Organizational Physics, posted November 9, 2011, retrieved from organizationalphysics.com/2011/11/9/the-four-styles-of-management/

By: LUDIVINA S. OMANIA | SP-I | Magsaysay National High School Dinalupihan, Bataan