The impact of servant leadership on strategic planning in Kuwait schools : a field study

Abstract EN

This study aims to identify prevalent leadership styles of Kuwaiti school principals, the current status of servant leadership, and servant-leadership behaviors affecting strategic planning in Kuwaiti schools.

Interviews comprised the primary tool for identifying the viewpoints of a study sample of 10 teachers and 10 department heads in six education distracts in Kuwait.

Successful school leader characteristics defined included visionary, honest, self-confident, and valuing diversity ; possession of delegation skills and ability to listen to and respect opinions of others.

Prevalent leadership styles identified in Kuwaiti school principals were authoritative, transformational, and servant leadership.

Behaviors affecting im-plementation of strategic plans were foresight ; stewardship ; conceptualization ; and awareness of changes occurring at local, national, and international levels.

Recommendations include raising staff awareness of the importance of creating an atmosphere of cooperation, shared responsibility, and respect.

Future studies could identify the effects of servant leadership, as opposed to other styles, can have on different dimensions of the educational setting.