Cultivating Leadership Imagination with Cognitive Tools: An Imagination-Focused Approach to Leadership Education

Abstract

This conceptual and practical paper aims to expand understanding of imagination in ways that have direct implications for leadership education and research. First, imagination is conceptualized as soil, an analogy that can address misconceptions about imagination and broaden understanding of the multiple ways it contributes to leadership. Next, an educational theory called Imaginative Education (IE) is introduced that offers theoretical understanding of imagination and practical tools for its development. Finally, what imagination yields in terms of individual and collective leadership processes is described along with specific “cognitive tools” that may be used to cultivate imagination in school leadership.

Engaging and Cultivating Imagination in Equity-Focused School Leadership

“…For some people, the word imagination makes them think of childhood fantasy, arts, and fictional storytelling (Judson, 2021(Judson, , 2020. It evokes the realm of the imaginary rather than anything connected to the daily practices of leadership (Judson, 2020(Judson, , 2021. Re-conceptualizing imagination as soil helps address misconceptions by bringing them down to earth.…”

“…Re-conceptualizing imagination as soil helps address misconceptions by bringing them down to earth. Understanding imagination as soil reveals how it comes first-it is the source out of which creativity and innovation bloom; how it is contextual-it is shaped by our beliefs, values, and knowledge; how it generates meaning through story-imagination is evoked through individual, and collective stories; how it becomes more fertile with cultivation-imagination can be educated and grows when it is used with a diverse range of knowledges, in collaboration, and in contexts that encourage exploration of the possible (Judson, 2021). Leadership research identifies the following practices as rooted in the soil of imagination: understanding what is and what could be, creating equitable communities through empathy, and engaging all stakeholders in meaningful learning (Judson, 2021).…”

“…Understanding imagination as soil reveals how it comes first-it is the source out of which creativity and innovation bloom; how it is contextual-it is shaped by our beliefs, values, and knowledge; how it generates meaning through story-imagination is evoked through individual, and collective stories; how it becomes more fertile with cultivation-imagination can be educated and grows when it is used with a diverse range of knowledges, in collaboration, and in contexts that encourage exploration of the possible (Judson, 2021). Leadership research identifies the following practices as rooted in the soil of imagination: understanding what is and what could be, creating equitable communities through empathy, and engaging all stakeholders in meaningful learning (Judson, 2021). The next section briefly introduces how the roots of inclusive and socially just communities lie in imagination-first, in the ability to understand the self/system and the perspective of the other; second, guided by a commitment to equity, to engage in collective imagining and action to make decisions that support all; third, to meaningfully communicate ideas and learn new ways of being (for a detailed description of this metaphor and some information about imagination's roles in leadership, see Judson, 2021).…”

“…Leadership research identifies the following practices as rooted in the soil of imagination: understanding what is and what could be, creating equitable communities through empathy, and engaging all stakeholders in meaningful learning (Judson, 2021). The next section briefly introduces how the roots of inclusive and socially just communities lie in imagination-first, in the ability to understand the self/system and the perspective of the other; second, guided by a commitment to equity, to engage in collective imagining and action to make decisions that support all; third, to meaningfully communicate ideas and learn new ways of being (for a detailed description of this metaphor and some information about imagination's roles in leadership, see Judson, 2021).…”

“…Widespread misunderstanding about imagination has contributed to few taking it seriously in leadership research (Judson, 2020(Judson, , 2021. Given this penury of knowledge, calls for imagination are not supported with theoretical or practical understandings of how imagination will support leadership in getting to or getting through the unfamiliar terrain of creating and sustaining equitable schools.…”