Exploring the Natural Attributes of Principals as Educational Leaders

Abstract

This study sought to explore the leadership of principals as educational administrators based on their natural attributes. The excellence in the actions of principals as educational administrators will serve as the determining factor for the success of a school across nine fields listed in the Malaysian School Principals Competency Standards. This success is mainly driven by the natural attributes of principals’ leadership in influencing the processes and behaviour of teachers in the delivery of education. This study also explores leadership issues and problems that are still of current interest. Principals’ competency levels in executing leadership still show that teachers are constrained by numerous flaws particularly in the teaching and learning in schools. Such conditions are often mirrored in schools with poor leadership display by Principals who are bent on putting off planned educational programmes. This qualitative study was done as a single case study. Qualitative data obtained via interviews with 10 informants in school formed the research case. The interviews were semi-structured and were analysed manually using category classification. The interviews explained the natural attributes reflected via Principals’ leadership orientation to answer the issues in this study. The findings of this study shall serve as additional elements in the process of selecting and placing Principals, as well as be developed as a guide for educational administrators desiring effective and quality leadership orientation for managing and administrating schools in Sabah. This study is of importance as it contributes additional knowledge in the fields of education and human resource for the benefit of other researchers.