Características y estilos de liderazgo prevalecientes en directores de centros educativos

This study examines the characteristics and leadership styles of principals across various educational institutions. Its significance lies in providing valuable insights into the skills, competencies, and attributes that define effective school leadership. Employing a quantitative approach with a descriptive correlational design, data was collected through surveys using a structured questionnaire as the primary instrument. The study’s population consisted of 132 teachers from 10 schools in Regional 08, District 05 of Santiago, all of whom teach at the upper primary and secondary levels. Among the key findings, democratic and authoritarian leadership styles were the most commonly recognized by teachers, with the democratic approach being the most prevalent among school principals. The most notable qualities attributed to effective principals included responsibility, adaptability, commitment to professional development, and strong organizational skills. Communication and motivation are factors that should be evident in an effective leader, and in these aspects, the directors were rated positively. However, regarding the promotion of a culture of open and effective communication, teachers indicated that this occurs frequently, though not consistently.

Keywords:
leadership; school leadership; leadership styles; leadership characteristics; educational quality