DYNAMIC LEADERSHIP SYMPHONY: THE INTERPLAY OF FEMALE LEADERSHIP STYLES IN HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTION

Abstract

This qualitative case study aimed at exploring formal/positional female leadership perceptions /conceptualisation and styles of educational leadership. For in-depth exploration, this study explored the perception and leadership styles of public sector girls’ college principal. The college was selected using purposive sampling strategy as the college is one of the growing colleges. Employing purposive sampling strategy, the principal of the college was invited to take part in the study. An interview protocol was developed to guide the process of open-ended interview for exploration of participants’ perception and styles of leadership. The findings reveal that the participant demonstrates blended perspectives on educational leadership. She demonstrates an interplay between culturally responsive and future-ready leadership practices. The findings also suggest that the interplay between autocratic and democratic, transformational and transactional leadership approaches show the participants’ blended approach of leadership styles. She is democratic at one time and autocratic at another time. Her style of leadership is often situational, and she respond to the situation and needs. The positional female leadership is showcasing a range of leadership styles, and these styles harmonize /interact with each other in different situation and times like instruments in a symphony orchestra.