There is a great and pressing need for a special kind of leader who can be a force for positive change and can gain the voluntary and enthusiastic support of others. This leader bonds people together within a circle of optimism, respect, trust and intentionality. Becoming an Invitational Leader, by William Purkey and Betty Siegel meets this need. Becoming an Invitational Leader differs significantly from past leadership books and theories because of its six overarching principles: people are able, valuable, capable of responsibility, and should be treated accordingly; intentionally creating a culture of respect, optimism, and trust promotes positive change; leadership is a cooperative and collaborative alliance where everyone matters; human potential, always apparent, is always there, waiting for the invitation; this potential can be best realized by leaders who intentionally invite the process; motivation is intrinsic and Invitational Leaders work to unleash this energy. The power of Invitational Leadership can be monumental. Believing that people have within themselves vast resources of strength, courage, and self-actualization the Invitational Leader finds ways to invite others to share in the leaders’ vision and look ahead to tomorrow’s promise.
