Influenced by leadership developments in the private sector, educational researchers have increasingly focused their attention on "transformational" models of leadership that emphasize collaboration and empowerment. The facilitative leader's role is to foster the involvement of employees at all different levels. This digest summarizes current research on facilitative leadership. In contrast with traditional leaders whose domination is derived from formal authority and hierarchy, facilitative principals create environments in which teachers can work effectively. However, facilitation occurs within the existing structure, meaning that those accorded legal authority to ratify decisions continue to do so. Facilitative leadership requires that administrators trust and believe that others can and will function independently and successfully. It also requires the ability to utilize multiple frames of reference for understanding different aspects of organizational life. Tensions that accompany facilitative leadership include the blurring of accountability and the need to balance accommodation with an inflexible hierarchical system (for example, external pressure to act on issues). Finally, administrators interested in changing to a facilitative style are advised to start slowly; communicate their intentions clearly; adapt their strategies to individual variations; and avoid becoming preoccupied with formal structures, roles, and procedures. (LMI)