The Montessori Leader

A Montessori perspective on leadership was sought by conducting fourteen semi-structured interviews with Montessori leaders internationally. The interviews explored the role of Montessori principles and practices in developing the participants’ ideas about, and enactment of, leadership. Gadamer’s 'Truth and Method' was used as a philosophical focus for the investigation and guided the analysis. Participant responses were interpreted and themes emerged that were discussed in terms of Montessori’s notion of ‘preparation’. The study found that a Montessori perspective on leadership is distinct, has universal applicability and is centred on the child as a hope and a promise for the world.