Emotional Intelligence as a Catalyst for Transformational Leadership: Insights from Palestinian Secondary Schools
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33977/1760-010-022-009Keywords:
emotional intelligence, transformational leadership, palestine, public schoolsAbstract
Objectives: This study aimed to explore the relationship between emotional intelligence skills and transformational leadership practices, as well as to identify differences in these competencies among school principals based on gender, age, and years of service, as perceived by teachers.
Methods: The study employed a quantitative, descriptive–analytical approach. Data were collected through a questionnaire distributed using the available sampling method, targeting teachers in the Palestinian government secondary schools across the West Bank. The population consisted of 38,951 male and female teachers working in 899 schools. The sample size for each directorate was determined using the proportional stratified sampling method, 403 responses were analyzed.
Results: Statistical evidence suggests that emotional intelligence levels were high, while teachers perceived the transformational leadership practices of school principals to be moderate. Emotional intelligence skills were found to significantly influence transformational leadership, with the “Perceiving Emotions" dimension being the most impactful. While no gender-based differences emerged in emotional intelligence or leadership practices, age and years of service were associated with variations in these competencies.
Conclusion: Emotional intelligence serves as a fundamental pillar of transformational leadership within Palestinian schools, particularly in a context marked by contextual challenges and generational shifts. This research underscores the importance of emotional intelligence in educational leadership and offers actionable strategies for enhancing institutional resilience in challenging environments. Moreover, this study shows that transformational leadership in Palestinian schools isn’t just about following certain practices—it’s a relationship-driven process that relies heavily on emotional intelligence.
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