732 research outputs found
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Strategies Exemplary Mental Health Leaders Use to Stay Grounded While Working with Veterans
No full textPurpose. The purpose of this explanatory mixed method study was to identify and describe what exemplary mental health leaders in Puget Sound area mental health facilities serving veterans do to maintain their physical, emotional, intellectual, social, vocational, and spiritual health based on the six dimensions of Rosen\u27s (2014) healthy leader model.
Methodology. An explanatory mixed methods approach was selected to allow the triangulation of data to increase the validity of the findings. The study analyzed quantitative surveys to identify how exemplary mental health leaders rate their use of grounded leadership strategies and qualitative semi-structured interviews to identify strategies exemplary mental health leaders use to stay grounded according to a six dimensions framework.
Findings. The findings of this study revealed strategies exemplary mental health leaders use to maintain their health were: taking time to relax, sleep 7–9 hours, and maintain a nutritious diet; mind body awareness; having compassion and remaining calm; challenge yourself; demonstrate interest and listen to others; contribute in meaningful ways; and focus on values and beliefs.
Conclusions. There were eight conclusions drawn from the data analysis. It was identified that exemplary mental health leaders who use strategies based on Rosen’s (2014) healthy model, to be grounded leaders are (a) better at managing stress and crisis, (b) role models who demonstrate resiliency through mind-body awareness, (c) create safe space for sharing ideas, (d) create inspiring and collaborative environment, (e) create work atmosphere of confidence and cohesion, (f) nurture curiosity and decrease stagnation in the profession, (g) ensuring work remains meaningful and purposeful, (h) are focused on values and beliefs making them predictable and influential leaders.
Recommendations for Action. Further research should be conducted to do a mixed-method study on a specific mental health organization and how the leaders stay grounded. Further research using causal-comparative research to compare grounded strategies exemplary mental health leaders serving veteran population use compared to leaders not serving the veteran population. It is recommended that a mixed-method study be conducted examining strategies exemplary mental health female leaders use to stay grounded
The Perception of First-Generation Community College Students with Regards to the Academic Impact of Student Support Services: A Phenomenological Study
No full textPurpose: The purpose of this phenomenological study is to describe the perceptions first-generation students (FGS) have of the academic impact of student support services (SSS) received while attending community college (CC) in the areas of student academic achievement, student engagement, student persistence, student satisfaction, and development of academic skills.
Methodology: The methodology used for this study was a phenomenological approach in which FGS’ perceptions about the academic impact of SSS while attending CC in the northern region of California were explored. The FGS who were interviewed for this study were consistently participating in the SSS. The study’s findings revealed the best practices utilized in SSS and might provide reasoning to adapt additional best practices that could especially be used while working with FGS.
Findings: The analyzed data resulted in eight themes and 75 references. All participants contributed to six themes that emerged, identifying the academic impact on FGS with regards to the received student support services.
Conclusions: After completing the literature review and interviewing 10 FGS who had been consistently participating in the SSS, the study results concluded that SSS had a significant academic impact on first-generation CC students in northern California in the areas of student academic achievement, engagement, persistence, satisfaction, and development of academic skills.
Recommendations: Based on the findings from the study, five recommendations were put forth for future research to advance the understanding and best practices of SSS that may lead to making a significant academic impact on FGS retention and graduation rates
How Exemplary Industrial Production Managers Lead Successfully Through the Turbulence of the COVID-19 Crisis
No full textPurpose: The purpose of this phenomenological study was to discover and describe behaviors that exemplary industrial production managers in organizations practice to lead their organizations through the turbulent times of COVID -19 using the leadership attributes of personal temperament, concern for the collective interest, resilience, and moral purpose.
Methodology: This qualitative study used a phenomenological research design. Data was collected from 10 interviews of industrial production managers and artifacts collected to discover and describe behaviors that industrial production managers in manufacturing organizations practice to lead their organizations through the turbulent times of the COVID-19 crisis.
Findings: The study revealed 27 themes that exemplary industrial production managers utilize to lead effectively through the turbulent times of the COVID-19 crisis using the attributes of moral purpose, concern for the collective interest, personal temperament, and resilience. They achieve this by using several different strategies and tools to help guide their actions during the crisis.
Conclusions: To lead effectively through the COVID-19 crisis, it was concluded that exemplary industrial production managers must use clear guidelines to help make difficult decisions while building rapport with their employees to develop trust on their team. They must stay abreast of what is going on in the organization so they can understand what is important to their people and build a culture of resilience by keeping the lines of communication open, learning from mistakes and focusing on the big picture.
Recommendations: Further research is recommended on leading through a crisis such as COVID-19 by comparing and contrasting the research of the Turbulence Team to look for commonalities and differences in population and experiences. In addition, the study could be replicated by looking at other industries, professions, levels of leadership, geographic area, and gender
Exemplary Leadership During Turbulent Times: A Study of Wartime Navy Submarine Commanders from 2001 to 2009
No full textPurpose: The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe behaviors that exemplary Navy submarine commanders practice to lead their command through turbulent times using the leadership attributes of personal temperament, concern for the collective interest, resilience, and moral purpose.
Methodology: This phenomenological study explored the specific leadership behaviors of personal temperament, concern for the collective interest, resilience, and moral purpose that occur during turbulent times by analyzing in-depth interviews with exemplary United States Navy Submarine Commanding Officers. The study sample for this research is ten Groton, Connecticut area United States Navy submarine commanding officers who have at least fifteen years of service. They all actively commanded a submarine during the Global War on Terrorism from September 2001 to December 2009. Each was personally awarded the Meritorious Service Medal or above for the performance of their duties while holding a position of command and are retired from active duty. The researcher used the leadership attributes and behaviors of Leadership in Turbulent Times (Goodwin, 2018) to collect descriptive data on the participants\u27 lived experiences.
Findings: The study revealed 14 themes that United States Navy Submarine Commanding Officers utilize to lead effectively through the turbulent times using the attributes of moral purpose, concern for the collective interest, personal temperament, and resilience. They achieve this by using several different tactics and plans to help guide their actions during the crisis.
Conclusions: To lead effectively through turbulent times, it was concluded that exemplary Navy Submarine Commanding Officers must use frequent, direct communication up and down the chain of command to foster a feeling of community and appreciation among their crew. They also maintain integrity with accountability and personal responsibility to create an environment that promotes and rewards ethical values and moral veracity.
Recommendations: Further research on leadership through turbulent times is recommended by comparing and contrasting the Turbulence Team\u27s findings to identify commonalities and variances in population and experience. Additionally, the study could be replicated by examining other commanding officers or enlisted leaders from other uniformed services
The Culturally Intelligent School Leader: Leadership Strategies of Exemplary Elementary School Principals in Creating a Culture of Inclusiveness
No full textPurpose: It is the purpose of this explanatory mixed-method study to identify and describe the leadership strategies that exemplary elementary school principals use to create an organizational culture of inclusiveness using Kennedy\u27s five leadership qualities of cultural differences.
Methodology: For this study, an explanatory mixed-method design was used to conduct research to identify and describe the leadership strategies that exemplary elementary school principals use to create an organizational culture of inclusiveness using Kennedy\u27s five leadership qualities of cultural differences. The study\u27s quantitative part was conducted using a SurveyMonkey delivered to each participant. In the survey, participants were asked if they were willing to take part in a one-to-one interview for follow-ups. Once identified, the qualitative research was used to conduct a one-to-one interview with each exemplary elementary school principal.
Findings: Analysis of the data resulted in 9 coded themes with 194 frequencies among the five elements of Kennedy’s (2008) leadership qualities of cultural differences. From the 9 themes, 6 key findings emerged.
Conclusions: The study identified and described the leadership strategies that exemplary elementary school principals use to create an organizational culture of inclusiveness using Kennedy’s (2008) five leadership qualities of cultural difference of a) making diversity a priority, b) getting to know people and their difference, c) enabling rich communication, d) accountability as a core value, e) mutualism as the final arbiter.
Recommendations: Continued research in identifying and describing leadership strategies in creating an organizational culture of inclusiveness is necessary. It is recommended to conduct a case study at a school where a culture of inclusion exist and identify specific behaviors that created the culture of inclusion. It is also recommended that the scope of the study extends beyond school principals and identify strategies teachers use to create a culture of inclusion in their classroom. This study should also be replicated in other regions of the California, United States, and other parts of the world
International Students’ Perceived Support and Barriers Adapting to the New Cultural Experience in a Southern California University
No full textPurpose: The purpose of this phenomenology study was to explore the lived experiences of international students’ perceptions regarding the types of support they received to adapt to a new culture experience and barriers to their successful adaptation to a new cultural experience while enrolled in a southern California university.
Methodology:
Qualitative research was the methodology used for this study because it was the approach best suited to gain a better understanding of the phenomena of international students’ lived experiences. The present study involved a qualitative design with a phenomenological inquiry approach. The technique of using semi-structured interviews is a method that allows a researcher to have an in-depth interaction with the participants of the study.
Findings: The findings indicate international students perceive they receive support to adapt to a new experience cultural experience as well as encounter barriers to their successful adaptation to a new cultural experience while enrolled in a southern California university.
Conclusions: Using qualitative research methods, this study explored international students’ perceptions regarding their adaption to the new cultural experiences at a southern California university. The findings indicated that international students ’ socializing with local students has provided the main type of support to their adaptation at a California university. Although the university is usually the first place where resources are provided, international advisors and instructors were regarded as the second source of support to adapt to the cultural experience. The series of barriers faced by international students can be enumerated into three categories: access to resources, backlash from local students, and difficulty with understanding communication in English.
Recommendations: The results of this study indicate universities should develop formalized strategic support plans for international students. Secondly, universities should provide diversity and inclusion training for students, faculty, and staff to provide greater awareness about the experience of international students. Thus, as demonstrated in this study, having a better understanding of international students’ support systems and challenges, can lead to faculty and staff members recognizing students’ needs. International students can be effectively offered supportive campus resources, services, and social activities. Universities in Southern California and in the US can be prepared to meet student’s needs not only academically, socially, but also culturally
A Mixed Methods Analysis of the Relationship Between Independent Study Teachers’ Emotional Intelligence and At-Risk Students Academic Success
No full textPurpose: The purpose of this sequential explanatory mixed methods study was to determine the relationship between independent study charter schoolteachers’ emotional intelligence (EQ) scores, as measured by the Schutte Self-Report Emotional Intelligence Test (SSEIT), and the number of credits earned in a learning period by their students. An additional purpose was to describe how independent study high school teachers perceive their ability to model the EQ attributes of self-awareness, self-regulation, internal motivation, empathy, and social skill (Goleman, 2006) influences student credit completion.
Methodology: This study used a mixed methods approach to collect quantitative and qualitative data from highly qualified independent study teachers working in charter schools with at-risk high school students. Using the SSEIT, 33 Likert scale questions were placed into categories that matched the 5 EQ traits according to Goleman (2006): self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and social skill. A series of 12 qualitative questions were asked to 10 participants, and themes were coded under the same 5 EQ traits.
Findings: In the overall quantitative findings, motivation was measured to be the highest ranked emotional intelligent trait in making students successful. This was the second highest ranked qualitative response. Similarly, self-awareness was the highest ranked qualitative response, and motivation was the second highest quantitative response.
Conclusion: These findings indicate motivation and self-awareness are very closely linked in the quantitative and qualitative data. Considering the reality that teachers self-reported their ability to be self-aware in the interviews, the correlation to motivation is evident. Teachers who are more self-aware are able to be more motivational to their students, as indicated from the responses of the data.
Recommendations: Based on the findings and limitations of this study, the researcher recommends further research in understanding how motivation contributes to at-risk student success is impacted by teachers who are able to be self-aware. If more students are able to receive motivation from teachers who are more self-aware, the data indicate that the students will perform better
Exemplary Leaders\u27 Use of Power and Influence to Cultivate an Ethical Organizational Climate: Case Studies of Millennial High School Principals
No full textPurpose: The purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to identify and describe how exemplary Millennial high school principals use power and influence to cultivate an ethical organizational climate and to describe essential tactics Millennial high school principals perceive are essential in the pursuit of an ethical climate.
Methodology: A qualitative case study was used to provide detailed descriptions of the perspectives of six exemplary Millennial high school principals in California and their humanistic approaches to the phenomena of power, influence, leadership, and organizational climate. Case study instruments were developed through the lens of a conceptual framework which captured the educational context, tactical use of power and influence, and cultivation of ethical organizational climates.
Findings: Qualitative findings and data analysis produced nine themes, with the deliberate cultivation of a collective ethical identity and tactics to build and use relationships as prevalent themes. Findings include exemplary Millennial leaders’ belief that ethical leadership promotes an ethical climate, they invest in relationships, use empowerment, shared leadership, and decision-making, openly confront unethical practices, and they use empathy to guide their tactical use of power to cultivate an ethical organizational climate.
Conclusions: The findings of this study affirm that Millennial high school leaders demonstrate attributes of ethical leadership and believe that using power ethically will lead to positive outcomes for students. The leaders in this study value relationships and empathy as primary tactics, gain power by giving it away, use personal power to co-construct an ethical organizational climate, and possess a keen awareness of power dynamics to navigate complex ethical situations.
Recommendations: This study supported the need to recognize and learn from exemplary Millennial leaders’ distinctive use of power to create an ethical organizational climate. It is incumbent upon educational leaders to support and promote exemplary Millennials in the field through coursework, literature, coaching, and mentorship. The ethical use of power and precise terminology on its use should be required professional development for pre-service school leaders and experienced administrators. Exemplary Millennial leaders need to be recruited and retained for positions of influence in policy making and district leadership roles
Leadership Strategies Exemplary Unified School District Superintendents Use to Create a Culture of Inclusiveness
No full textPurpose: The purpose of this explanatory mixed-method study was to identify and describe the leadership strategies unified school district superintendents used to create an organizational culture of inclusiveness through the lens of Kennedy’s five distinctive qualities of leadership.
Methodology: This mixed-methods study identified strategies exemplary public school superintendents used to create an organizational culture of inclusiveness. The study collected quantitative data from 17 superintendents via a survey and qualitative data from six of those superintendents via one-on-one interviews. Respondents were purposely chosen for their esteemed service in the field of education and based on specific criteria, including a recommendation from the County Office Superintendents of Schools.
Findings: Examination of the data revealed eight major findings. Superintendents saw others in the organization by valuing perspectives, diversity, and stories. They were intentionally curious about those they served by listening and learning, and involved others through shared leadership. Additionally, the superintendents demonstrated and modeled empathy and cared for individuals on the team. They fostered a sense of ownership and belonging across the organization, and ensured expectations, structures, and systems aligned to inclusiveness. Superintendents also sought expertise and provided professional learning to their staff. The final finding revealed exemplary superintendents exhibited authentic leadership vulnerability.
Conclusions: Based on and supported by this study’s findings and connected to the research, seven conclusions were revealed to strengthen the understanding of strategies used by superintendents to create a culture of inclusiveness in San Bernardino and Riverside Counties.
Recommendations: Further research was recommended to expand and deepen the knowledge and description of strategies used by leaders to create a culture of inclusiveness, including exploring the perspectives of superintendents from elementary and secondary districts and from other geographical regions
Leadership Strategies That Exemplary K-12 Latina Superintendents in California Use to Create an Organizational Culture of Inclusiveness Using Kennedy’s Five Leadership Qualities of Cultural Differences
No full textPurpose: The purpose of this sequential explanatory mixed methods study was to identify and describe the leadership strategies that Latina superintendents in California use to create an organizational culture of inclusiveness using Kennedy’s (2008) 5 leadership qualities of cultural differences.
Methodology: This sequential explanatory mixed methods study analyzed quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews to identify and describe strategies found when analyzing the data. This study summarized the findings that emerged to identify and describe strategies that create an organizational culture of inclusiveness.
Findings: Examination of mixed methods data from the 15 Latina superintendents in California participating in this study indicated that 14 major findings and 3 unexpected findings were substantiated by coded theme frequency.
Conclusions: The study supported 8 conclusions that affirmed the criticality to understand what strategies exemplary female Latina school superintendents use to create organizational cultures of inclusiveness: (a) take explicit personal responsibility for cultural inclusiveness (b) remove gatekeeper barriers, (c) dismantle the status quo, (d) take conscious ownership of their personal behavior, (e) be explicit in aligning personal and organizational values and beliefs, (f) provide multiple platforms for input and feedback from diverse stakeholders, (g) develop a shared vision and value of equity with stakeholders, and (h) use bilingual code switching to build authentic rapport
Recommendations: Further research is recommended to replicate study conducted with a different group of exemplary superintendents Black/African American women; a meta-analysis of the thematic teams’ 10 studies of cultural inclusive leadership be conducted to identify the most important strategies across different groups of leaders; a meta-analysis of the thematic teams’ 3 studies of exemplary superintendent to identify and describe the most essential strategies across the California public school district leaders in time of COVID-19; and replication of study with exemplary, first generation, multilingual women of color in superintendent roles nationally