The school leader's behaviors are inspired by theories, and theories are intrinsic to practice. This paper provides an overview of an emerging perspective in educational administration, critical theory. The paper first highlights the philosophies of Immanuel Kant, Fichte, Hegel, Marx, and the Frankfurt School. It then discusses critical theory methodology; the use of critical theory for the individual, the group, and society; the reification of organizations; critical theory and educational administration; schools and societal ideology; ideology within schools; and critical theory in educational leadership. Leadership, from the critical perspective, moves beyond the management of things and people to a focus on vision and ideas with the ultimate goal of emancipation. Self-reflection leads to self-knowledge. The school organization is nonhierarchical and based on shared power. To truly reform schools, the ideologically based issues in society and within schools must be exposed. (Contains 48 references.) (LMI)