Pragmatic leadership development in Canada: investigating a mentoring approach

Abstract

This study is part of the International Study of Principal Preparation project and reports on a Canadian Catholic Board’s mentoring programme for novice school principals. This programme aims to produce effective managers and provide formal collegial support. A pragmatic, mixed‐method approach involving interviews with participants along with an analysis of programme documentation is employed. Findings indicate the programme is successful in providing useful information and guidance to novices. Mentors refresh their enthusiasm for their own administrative role and are more conscious of organisational processes as a result of mentoring. Outcomes include increased comfort of mentees in their complex role. There are socialisation and enculturation outcomes for the organisation. Selection as a mentor represents a valuing of expertise and effectiveness. Potential challenges of the programme are time, uncomfortable pairings, power relationships, and the overt managerial focus. Recommendations to enhance this successful programme are presented.

Keywords:

• leadership development
• mentoring
• novice principals
• professional development
• enculturation
• socialisation
• administration