WOMEN AT THE HELM: EXPLORING FEMALE LEADERSHIP DYNAMICS IN EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTES

Abstract

This qualitative research investigates the perceptions and leadership styles of formal female leaders serving as principals in public sector girls’ institutes. The study focuses on how leadership is conceptualized and enacted by women in positional authority within the academic landscape. The selected colleges, identified through purposive sampling, represents a rapidly evolving educational institution, making it a relevant context for examining dynamic leadership practices. Data were gathered through a semi-structured, open-ended interview protocol designed to elicit nuanced insights into the participant’s leadership approaches.

The findings reveal a multifaceted understanding of educational leadership, where the participant integrates both culturally grounded and future-oriented strategies. Her leadership style reflects a fluid interaction between democratic and autocratic tendencies, as well as transformational and transactional models, depending on contextual demands. This situational adaptability underscores the complexity of female leadership in academic settings. The study concludes that such leadership is not static but evolves in harmony with the institutional environment—much like instruments contributing unique tones in a symphony orchestra (Northouse, 2021).