Human-Centered Leadership and People Management in Education: A Critical Review of Bush and Middlewood’s Book Leading and Managing People in Education

Abstract

This research paper critically review a book written by Tony Bush and David Middlewood,titled Leading and Managing people in Education. This book discusses educational leadership and people management by highlighting people as most valued resource in educational institutions (Bush and Middlewood, 2005). This research paper critically look at important themes in this book which involves people-centered leadership, organizational culture, staff motivation, collaboration, mentoring, performance evaluation and organizational learning. The strengths and limitations of the author’s argument in educational context is also evaluated in this paper. This book review used a qualitative critical analysis approach by thematically interpreting book’s concepts, arguments and practical implications. The results reveal that by incorporating theoretical aspects in practical leadership process this book has also very important contribution to education leadership literature. The authors effectively criticize performance-driven educational paradigms. They promote human-centered leadership strategies that put employee development, wellbeing and career advancement first. The book is further strengthen by emphasizing more on international and contextual leadership perspective. But this review also finds some limits. The book has less focused on technology driven leadership, digital communication, crisis management, mental health challenges and leadership issues in under developed educational settings. And many examples that were given from western education system does not represent developing countries. Generally this book has important contribution and is ground for educational leadership and management. It highlights human capabilities, culture of organization and supportable people management also continues to propose vision for educational leaders, researchers and practitioners in educational environment.