732 research outputs found
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Elite Female Long-Distance Runners and the Impact of Social Media on Their Lives Professionally and Personally
No full textPurpose: The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore and discover the perceptions of elite female long-distance runners on the benefits and challenges of using social media to build their personal brand throughout their athletic careers.
Methodology: This study was a phenomenological study that identified and described the lived experiences of 10 elite female long-distance runners and the benefits and challenges of using social media to build a personal brand. The sample of elite female long-distance runners were athletes that had qualified for the 2020 USA Olympic Trails in the marathon.
Findings: The study concluded that female athletes identify that in order to receive sponsorships, financial gain, attention, fame or acceptance that they have to often compromise their self, values or belief system, in order to build a larger following or fan base.
Conclusions: There were six conclusions drawn from this study based on the data. The conclusions focused on the data that yielded building a personal brand using social media has significant barriers for elite women athletes to properly build a name around their sport in which they can be properly recognized for their athleticism.
Recommendations: Explore and identify elite female long-distance runners that do not participate in social media and capture their experiences being an elite athlete without using social media
Phenomenological Study on the Impact of Servant Leadership for Establishing a Culture of High Performance as Perceived by Public School District Superintendents
No full textPurpose: The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore and describe K12 public school superintendents’ perceived impact of the seven servant leadership constructs established by Patterson (2003) on establishing a culture of high performance.
Methodology: This phenomenological research study identified and described the extent to which superintendents perceived the impact servant leadership has on establishing a culture of high performance. Eight participants were selected through non probability purposeful and convenience sampling based on specific criteria including a minimum of three years of experience at their current district and a minimum of five years of experience as a superintendent. The researcher conducted semi-structured interviews using an Interview Protocol. Responses from participants were prioritized and data was coded for themes.
Findings: The findings from the study indicate that public school district superintendents agree that Patterson’s (2003) seven servant leadership constructs contribute to establishing a culture of high performance. The in-depth interviews, observations, and artifacts collected resulted in 14 themes and seven major findings.
Conclusions: It was concluded that public school district superintendents who develop a culture of high performance have a collective commitment and belief to serve; hire people who are aligned to the shared values and purpose of the organization; operate out of love; have trusting relationships; empower people, and utilize all seven constructs.
Recommendations for Action: The ability of superintendents to utilize the seven servant leadership constructs of agapao, humility, altruism, vision, trust, empowerment, and service is critical to establishing a culture of high performance. To equip aspiring and current superintendents to effectively implement the constructs, the following needs to occur: an assessment tool needs to be developed for superintendents to measure their effectiveness utilizing the seven constructs; a professional development book needs to be written focused on successful implementation of the seven constructs; trainings for superintendents focused on the servant leadership constructs needs to be developed and included in conferences aspiring and current superintendents typically attend; coaching for superintendents needs to include the seven constructs; and search firms and boards of education need to use the seven servant leadership constructs when evaluating prospective superintendents
Mini 06: How Cultural Thought Patterns Influence Communication *
No full textBased on the work of Robert E Kaplan, every language is influenced by a thought pattern that is unique to the culture, or the collective customs and beliefs of the people. When senders and receivers of communication have different cultural thought patterns there is an increased likelihood for miscommunication and cross cultural conflict. In this presentation participants will learn about different cultural thought patterns and how to use this information to be better listeners and communicators
Mini 04: The Art of the Interview
No full textYou may be the most qualified person for the job; yet if you don’t say the right things and say the wrong things, you won’t get the job. In this fast-paced session, you will witness two mock interviews; you will learn to assess what went well, and what didn’t; and then you will discover transformational strategies you can use to help you get that next promotion. This session will include practical ideas for preparing for the interview, practicing your answers to real interview questions, and offer strategies to use in the group panel interview versus the final interview. The presenters have been on both sides of the interview table for more than 35 years each. They promise the session will be helpful, useful, and humorous
Mini 02: What’s Next? Your Research Matters! (CANCELED)
No full textYou’ve done all the research. You wrote a FABULOUS dissertation. What’s next? Is there life after the dissertation journey? How can you share your research with the world through books, journal articles, and more! Just as your doctoral program was a process, the next steps can also be a hugely successful process. This session will be delivered by two Gamma students who successfully defended their dissertations in 2017. Their dissertation journey has transformed and they have presented their research at numerous conferences, have launched a web page, are writing regular blogs, are co-authoring a book and have developed a series of keynote presentations that they hope will become a huge avenue for sharing their research. Come learn some steps they took along the way and enjoy a condensed version of their keynote presentation entitled Meaning-Centered Leadership: Why Meaning Matters in Your Organization so you, too, can enjoy their research
Impact of Grit and Emotional Intelligence on Longevity of Expert Principals
No full textPurpose. The purpose of this mixed methods study was to determine what relationship exists between emotional intelligence (EI) and grit of expert principals with three or more years’ longevity. This study was conducted to deeply understand the relationship between these variables and to discover expert principals’ perceptions of how these personal attributes impacted their longevity.
Methodology. This study followed a sequential explanatory design model whereby quantitative methods were used initially to collect baseline data via electronic surveys followed by qualitative methods, which were used to dig deeper into the results via in-depth, semi-structured interviews.
Findings. The major findings included identification of 10 EI attributes representing the expert principals studied; the discovery of the four Ps of grit: passion, purpose, priorities, and perseverance; the identification of a synergistic relationship between grit and EI; revelation of 10 guiding principles to extend longevity of expert principals; and the necessity of support, training, and mentoring for principals. In addition, most participants discussed significant tragedies that occurred during their tenure and the influence these tragedies had on their longevity.
Conclusions. Based on the findings from this study it was concluded specific EI and grit attributes can be developed through practice, guidance, and training. It was also concluded preparation programs and induction programs would benefit from weaving information on EI and grit into their curriculum to extend principal longevity. Furthermore, K-12 educational institutes interested in increasing expert principals’ longevity would benefit from hiring gritty principals willing to develop both attributes.
Recommendations. The recommendations from this study are directed to individuals involved in higher education administrator preparation and induction programs and K-12 public schools superintendents, school boards, and personnel departments. It is recommended K-12 educational agents allocate funding for professional learning activities, including mentoring for principals, developing policies and procedures from recruitment to retention for gritty expert principals, and creating and implementing policies and procedures for emergency preparedness, including protocols for tragedies
Political Strategies Used by Regional Occupational Program Superintendents to Work Effectively With the Different Political Styles of Their Board Members: A Sequential Explanatory Mixed Methods Study
No full textPurpose: The purpose of this sequential explanatory mixed methods study was to identify the political styles of exemplary Regional Occupational Program superintendents and school board members as perceived by Regional Occupational Program superintendents. In addition, the purpose was to identify and explain the political strategies exemplary Regional Occupational Program superintendents use to work with the different political styles of school board members.
Methodology: In this sequential explanatory mixed methods study, both electronic surveys and face-to-face interview data were collected from five exemplary ROP superintendents and analyzed to identify the political strategies used to work successfully with their boards of education. The framework from The Politically Intelligent Leader (White, Harvey, & Fox, 2016) was used to identify different political styles. The surveys provided basic demographic data of the superintendents and identified the political styles of the superintendents and their board members. Next, the interviews provided a deeper understanding of effective political strategies used by the exemplary ROP superintendents.
Findings: The findings of this study revealed that exemplary ROP superintendents understand the value of using political strategies to work effectively with their board members. ROP superintendents differentiate strategies, based on the board member’s political style. The research showed that the strategy of continual communication as the most effective for all political styles. Teaching and transparency were cited as strategies that worked well for most political styles.
Conclusions: This study concluded that superintendents who understand their own political style as well as those of their board members can implement a variety of strategies to work more effectively with the different political styles of their board members.
Recommendations: Further research is advised by replicating this study from the perspective of school board members. Furthermore, it is recommended that this study be expanded to include multicollege community college districts to examine the political styles and strategies of their college board members and their presidents. In addition, it is recommended that this study be replicated with other entities, such as city government. Finally, it is recommended that a single long-term case study be examined to further delve into the political styles and strategies of an exemplary superintendent
Women in County Government Leadership: Using Personal Power to Overcome Self-Sabotage
No full textPurpose: The purpose of this explanatory mixed methods study was to identify and describe self-sabotaging behaviors experienced by female county government executives and to explore the impact these behaviors have had on their career development. A secondary purpose of this study was to identify strategies employed by female county government executives to overcome self-sabotaging behaviors.
Methodology: An explanatory mixed methods research design was used to explore the use of self-sabotaging behaviors of 9 female county government executives in Southern California. A 10-item survey instrument was administered to participants, followed by a semistructured interview consisting of 13 scripted questions. Data collected from the qualitative interview instrumentation explained and expanded upon the data collected from the quantitative survey instrumentation.
Findings: Twenty key findings were identified. Fear and worry, thinking too small, and holding back were the most referenced self-sabotaging behaviors. All participants perceived self-sabotaging behaviors to have an impact on career development and lead to other self-sabotaging behaviors. All strategies were perceived as useful in addressing more than one behavior. Building a power web was the most referenced strategy.
Conclusions: Seven conclusions were derived from key, major, and unexpected findings. Awareness is paramount—self-sabotaging behaviors create personal and professional consequences and can perpetuate other behaviors. Moreover, female county government executives must increase their awareness of external barriers, gender bias, and upbringing to better understand the origins of the self-sabotaging behaviors they experience. Female county government executives are most likely to experience fear and worry, thinking too small, and holding back; however, they are less likely to self-identify behaviors if required to attach labels. Confidence is gained throughout the career; nevertheless, women should not wait to overcome the behaviors. Energy should be invested in developing capacity in 5 core strategies to mitigate effects of self-sabotaging behaviors as early in their career as possible.
Recommendations: Ten recommendations were identified including conducting a meta-analysis, replication studies by exploring other roles, changing qualifying criteria and demographics, and incorporating the intersection of gender, race, and culture. Additionally, a comparison of strategies used by men and women as well as antecedents of self-sabotaging behaviors should be explored