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.

这篇概念性和实践性的论文旨在以对领导力教育和研究有直接影响的方式扩大对想象力的理解。首先，想象力被概念化为土壤，这个类比可以解决对想象力的误解，并拓宽对想象力对领导力的多种贡献方式的理解。接下来，介绍了一种称为想象力教育 (IE) 的教育理论，该理论提供了对想象力的理论理解和用于其发展的实用工具。最后，描述了在个人和集体领导过程中产生的想象力以及可用于培养学校领导想象力的特定“认知工具”。