Cultivating Practical Wisdom Leadership: Challenges and Opportunities in Thailand's Educational System
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Abstract
In an era of rapid societal change, ethical decision-making and managing uncertainty have become critical leadership qualities. Practical wisdom leadership integrates knowledge, ethical values, and practice within complex contexts. This qualitative document-based study analyzed such leadership cultivation in Thailand's educational system, using Jakubik's (2021) framework as an analytical lens alongside literature on leadership development and educational innovation through conceptual synthesis. The findings reveal that cultivation may occur through learner-centered pedagogical approaches, experiential learning, and the strategic role of educational leaders in creating environments conducive to ethical learning. However, integration faces significant structural challenges, including quantitative assessment systems, tensions between leadership development and achievement-focused outcomes, and impacts from modern technology. Simultaneously, the analysis indicates opportunities through developing educational leaders' roles, enhancing teacher competencies, and creating innovative learning spaces. The study presents a conceptual framework and recommendations for developing Thailand's educational system to produce flexible, ethical leaders prepared to navigate societal complexity.
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