Vocational education administrator-leaders participating in this study were not asked to identify examples of education program-related experiences through which they developed their leadership qualities. Thus, relatively few (9%) reported formal training programs (e.g., leadership academies) and the use of simulations/case studies as significant leadership development experiences in their own development. Yet, about 30% of them recommended the use of formal training programs for future leaders. Perhaps this was because formal leadership preparation programs have only recently become available to vocational educators, and their value is only now beginning to be appreciated. In any event, formal preparation programs should not be considered as a substitute for appropriately challenging on-the-job experiences, but only as a very useful supplement to them.
It is safe to conclude that when using on-the-job assignments for leader development purposes, the key is to provide multiple opportunities to assume responsibility for challenging assignments and opportunities to reflect on the meaning of these events for accomplishing important common purposes within given communities of practice.