This study provides a new conceptualization of educational leadership with a multilevel and integrative approach. It examines the impact of multilevel leadership (MLL) on the effectiveness of technical educational institutes through the mediating effects of organizational communication, bases of power and organizational culture. Data were collected from 153 heads of engineering and management institutes across India along with 306 subordinates working in coordination with the heads of the institutes. The subordinates assessed leadership and organizational communication and the leader assessed the remaining constructs. An inventory is developed and validated to assess MLL. The MLL directly predicts organizational effectiveness (OE). Organizational communication, use of personal power and organizational culture mediate the effects of leadership on OE. Multilevel leaders can promote organizational communication, use of personal power and organizational culture for higher effectiveness of technical educational institutions.