02/12/2025
Decision-Making in School Leadership
The Four Dimensions of Educational Leadership Decisions
(Adapted from the Geometry of Decisions Framework by Dr Adedamola Israel)
1. Good but Not Right Choice
This occurs when a decision appears attractive, convenient, or immediately beneficial but is misaligned with school goals, inappropriate timing, or may not serve the desired immediate or long-term outcomes.
Example:
Appointing the most personable teacher to head the curriculum committee because they are popular with staff and easy to work with, yet they lack the pedagogical expertise and strategic vision needed to drive meaningful curricular improvement.
2. Right but Not Good Choice
This is a decision that is absolutely appropriate to the circumstances and educational context, though it may be inconvenient, unpopular, or require some level of sacrifice from the school.
Example:
Implementing a new assessment framework to improve learning outcomes—though it requires additional staff training, creates temporary disruption to established routines, and meets resistance from those accustomed to traditional methods.
3. Good and Right Choice
This represents the ideal decision: one that is both appealing, productive, progressive, and appropriate to current circumstances, generating both immediate staff morale, sustained improvement in student outcomes and school growth/image.
Example:
Promoting an experienced, well-respected deputy head who demonstrates strong instructional leadership, has earned the confidence of both staff and parents to headship.
4. Not Good and Not Right Choice
This is a decision that is neither appealing, productive nor appropriate to prevailing circumstances. It's often made out of personal ill-will, undue rivalry, or factional interests rather than principles.
Example:
Removing a highly effective subject leader from their role and reassigning them to a lesser position simply because they are perceived as a threat to the headteacher's authority or represent a rival faction within school leadership, thereby depriving students of quality instruction and damaging staff morale.
Dr Adedamola Israel Olofa
Lead, Edu-Norms Consulting | Education Business School
