The relationship between emotional intelligence of school principals in managing change and teacher attitudes towards change

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to examine the relationship between principal change leadership emotional intelligence (PCLEI) and teacher attitudes towards change (TATC) in Malaysian High-Performing Secondary School (HPSS), Mediocre-Performing Secondary School (MPSS) and Low-Performing Secondary School (LPSS). A total of 1,195 teachers completed the survey. The findings revealed that (a) there was a positive correlation between PCLEI and TATC across HPSS, MPSS and LPSS; (b) the relationship between PCLEI and TATC were strong in HPSS and MPSS and moderate in LPSS; and (c) there were marked differences in the ability of school principals exercising their PCLEI on TATC across HPSS, MPSS and LPSS. The interplay of school principals, teachers and school culture contributed to the above phenomenon. Attention should be given to the emotional dimension of educational leadership as rational models of leadership simply do not reflect the contemporary educational landscape, and is inadequate to help school principals handle complicated problems in today’s school environment of high-level stress due to multiple and changing demands. School leadership skills have to include emotional management as leadership is about emotional engagement and involvement. Change can only be realised and sustained if school principals emotionally and intellectually engaged themselves in the leadership terrain.