The chair's dispositions as virtues

This article investigates the importance of the leadership virtues of the hope, trust, piety and civility in the work of two chairs undertaking reforms in their departments within the same school. Using a narrative case study methodology, the article uses the virtues to examine how chairs shape reforms within their departments. Analysis of the data indicates that chairs must strongly value the reform, and develop departmental trust in both the reform and the processes of reform. Finally, piety and civility appear to be critical successful reforms - teachers need to have the opportunity to be engaged in the reforms.