DECODING ESSENTIAL LEADERSHIP TRAITS: A FUZZY DELPHI ANALYSIS OF PERSONALITY CHARACTERISTICS FOR EFFECTIVE MIDDLE-LEADERS

Abstract

This study used the Fuzzy Delphi Method (FDM), a systematic expert consensus technique, to address the urgent need to identify essential personality traits in middle leadership within educational institutions; notwithstanding extensive research on educational leadership, there is limited understanding of the specific personality characteristics required for middle-leader teams in schools. This study engaged seven educational leadership specialists to evaluate and validate a comprehensive framework of personality qualities based on Al-Ghazali's theory and the Žydžiūnaitė Framework (2018). Conventional methods that uniformly handle leadership characteristics are confronted by the hierarchical structure of leadership attributes identified through FDM analysis. The findings indicate a significant shift from traditionally esteemed charismatic qualities to self-discipline and sustainable leadership methodologies. The resultant framework provides a foundation for developing targeted leadership training programs designed for middle-leader teams (teachers) as school administrators. This research enhances the theory of educational leadership by offering a nuanced comprehension of the influence of personality traits on leadership efficacy in middle-level educational settings. The study's results provide valuable guidance for organizations developing leadership selection and training programs, and its methodology establishes a robust framework for future research. These insights underscore the necessity for more contextually informed leadership training techniques in middle-level education and have significant implications for leadership development within educational institutions.