INFLUENCE OF PRINCIPALS’ LEADERSHIP STYLES ON
TEACHER JOB SATISFACTION IN PUBLIC SECONDARY
SCHOOLS IN EMBAKASI SUB COUNTY, NAIROBI, KENYA
Anyinyo Norman Oyuga
A Research Project Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements
for the award of the Degree of Master of Education in Educational
Administration
University of Nairobi
2023
DECLARATION
This research project is my original work and has not been presented for the
award of any degree in any other university.
Anyinyo Norman Oyuga
E55/36099/2019
This research project has been submitted for examination with our approval as
university supervisors.
………………………………
Dr. Dorice Khatete.
Lecturer
Department of Educational Management, Policy and Curriculum Studies.
University of Nairobi.
Sr. Dr. Petronilla Kingi
Senior Lecturer
Department of Educational Management, Policy and Curriculum Studies.
University of Nairobi.
ii
DEDICATION
To my best friend and wife Milcah N. Mutunga, sons Paul Israel and Elias
Oyuga, my heartiest thanks are due to you for without your patience and moral
support, this research project would not have been possible. My parents Justo
Anyinyo and Caroline Awino, you set me on this milestone since my early
life, thank you.
iii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Firstly, I thank the Almighty God for His grace and provision in my academic
journey. Secondly, it takes a lot of good and hardworking people to undertake
a research project. I wish to acknowledge with profound gratitude my
supervisors, Sr. Dr. Petronilla Mutinda Kingi and Dr. Dorice Lukoye Khatete
for their scholarly guidance, mentorship, recommendations and wise counsel
in ensuring the success of this research project. Also, I am deeply indebted to
the lecturers in the department of Educational Management, Policy and
Curriculum Studies- University of Nairobi for their immense scholarly
contribution, in particular, Prof. Jeremiah Kalai (Dean, Faculty of Education)
who encouraged me to venture into post-graduate studies. My appreciation
also goes to the Embakasi Sub County Education Officers, Principals and
Teachers from Embakasi Sub County Secondary Schools for their voluntary
participation and cooperation with me during the data collection process.
Finally, I thank my friends, colleagues and classmates for their encouragement
and support. Blessings to you all.
iv
TABLE OF CONTENTS
DECLARATION .............................................................................................. ii
DEDICATION ................................................................................................. iii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ............................................................................... iv
TABLE OF CONTENTS ...................................................................................v
APPENDICES ................................................................................................. ix
LIST OF TABLES .............................................................................................x
LIST OF FIGURES ........................................................................................ xii
ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS ...................................................... xiii
ABSTRACT ................................................................................................... xiv
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the Study..............................................................................1
1.2 Statement of the Problem .............................................................................8
1.3 Purpose of the Study ..................................................................................10
1.4 Objectives of the Study ..............................................................................11
1.5 Research Questions ....................................................................................11
1.6 Significance of the Study ...........................................................................12
1.7 Limitations of the Study.............................................................................13
1.8 Delimitations of the Study .........................................................................13
1.9 Basic Assumptions of the Study ................................................................15
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1.10 Definition of Significant Terms ...............................................................15
1.11 Organization of the study .........................................................................16
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Introduction ................................................................................................18
2.2 Concept of Leadership Styles ....................................................................18
2.3 School Leadership ......................................................................................20
2.4 Principals‘ Coaching Leadership Style and Job Satisfaction .....................23
2.5 Principals‘ Affiliative Leadership Style and Job Satisfaction ...................25
2.6 Principals‘ Pacesetting Leadership Style and Job Satisfaction ..................26
2.7 Principals‘ Participative Leadership Style and Job Satisfaction ................28
2.8 Summary of Literature Review ..................................................................31
2.9 Theoretical Framework ..............................................................................33
2.10 Conceptual Framework ............................................................................34
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.1 Introduction ................................................................................................38
3.2 Research Design.........................................................................................38
3.3 Target Population .......................................................................................38
3.4 Sample Size and Sampling Procedures ......................................................39
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3.4.1 Sample Size .....................................................................................39
3.4.2 Sampling Procedure .........................................................................39
3.5 Research Instruments .................................................................................40
3.6 Pilot Study..................................................................................................41
3.7 Validity of Instruments ..............................................................................41
3.8 Reliability of Instruments ..........................................................................42
3.9 Data Collection Procedure .........................................................................43
3.10 Data Analysis Techniques........................................................................43
3.11 Ethical Considerations .............................................................................44
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA ANALYSIS, PRESENTATION AND INTERPRETATION OF
FINDINGS
4.1 Introduction ................................................................................................46
4.2 Response Rate and Demographic Information .........................................46
4.3 Reliability Analysis ....................................................................................51
4.4 Coaching Leadership Style and Teachers‘ Job Satisfaction ......................52
4.5 Affiliative Leadership Style and Teachers‘ Job Satisfaction .....................62
4.6 Participative Leadership Style and Teachers‘ Job Satisfaction .................71
4.7 Pacesetting Leadership Style and Teachers‘ Job Satisfaction ...................80
4.8 Teachers‘ Job Satisfaction .........................................................................89
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CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1 Introduction ................................................................................................99
5.2 Summary of the Findings ...........................................................................99
5.3 Conclusions ..............................................................................................101
5.4 Recommendations ....................................................................................102
5.5 Recommendation for Further Research ...................................................105
REFERENCES ..............................................................................................106
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APPENDICES
Appendix I: Letter of introduction .................................................................112
Appendix II: Questionnaire for Teachers and Principals ..............................113
Appendix III: Interview Schedule For Sub-County Education Officers (SCDE,
SCQASO, SCTSC, CSO). .............................................................................120
Appendix IV: NACOSTI Research Permit ....................................................122
Appendix V: Regional Director Of Education Research Authorization ........123
Appendix VI: Sub County Director Of Education Research Authorization ..124
Appendix VII: County Commissioner Research Authorization ...................125
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LIST OF TABLES
Table 3. 1: Sample size ..................................................................................... 40
Table 4. 1: Response Rate ................................................................................. 46
Table 4. 2: Response Gender ............................................................................ 47
Table 4. 3: Respondents‘ Age Bracket ............................................................. 48
Table 4. 4: Respondents‘ Highest Academic Qualification .............................. 49
Table 4. 5: Responsibility Held in School ........................................................ 49
Table 4. 6: Number of Years Involved in the Present School .......................... 50
Table 4. 7: Reliability Statistics ........................................................................ 51
Table 4. 8: Principal‘s Leadership Behavior with Statements Related to
Coaching Leadership Style. .............................................................................. 52
Table 4. 9: Correlation Matrix for Coaching Leadership Style and Teachers‘
Job Satisfaction ................................................................................................. 55
Table 4. 10: Model Summary for Coaching Leadership Style and Teachers‘
Job Satisfaction ................................................................................................. 56
Table 4. 11: ANOVAa for Coaching Leadership Style and Teachers‘ Job
Satisfaction ........................................................................................................ 56
Table 4. 12: Regression Coefficientsa for Coaching Leadership and Teachers‘
Job Satisfaction ................................................................................................. 57
Table 4. 13: Principal‘s Leadership Behavior with Statements Related to
Affiliative Leadership Style .............................................................................. 62
Table 4. 14: Correlation Matrix for the Affiliative Leadership Style and
Teachers‘ Job Satisfaction ................................................................................ 66
x
Table 4. 15: Model Summary for the Affiliative Leadership Style and
Teachers‘ Job Satisfaction ................................................................................ 67
Table 4. 16: ANOVAa for the Affiliative Leadership Style and Teachers‘ Job
Satisfaction ........................................................................................................ 68
Table 4. 17: Regression Coefficientsa for the Affiliative Leadership Style and
Teachers‘ Job Satisfaction ................................................................................ 69
Table 4. 18: Principal‘s Leadership Behavior and Participative Leadership
Style .................................................................................................................. 71
Table 4. 19: Correlation Matrix for the Participative Leadership Style and
Teachers‘ Job Satisfaction ................................................................................ 75
Table 4. 20: Model Summary for the Participative Leadership Style and
Teachers‘ Job Satisfaction ................................................................................ 76
Table 4. 21: ANOVAa for the Participative Leadership Style and Teachers‘
Job Satisfaction ................................................................................................. 77
Table 4. 22: Regression Coefficientsa for the Participative Leadership Style
and Teachers‘ Job Satisfaction.......................................................................... 78
Table 4. 23: Principal‘s Leadership Behavior with Statements Related to
Pacesetting Leadership Style ............................................................................ 80
Table 4. 24: Correlation Matrix for the Pacesetting Leadership Style and
Teachers‘ Job Satisfaction ................................................................................ 84
Table 4. 25: Model Summary for the Pacesetting Leadership Style and
Teachers‘ Job Satisfaction ................................................................................ 85
Table 4. 27: Regression Coefficientsa for the Pacesetting Leadership Style and
Teachers‘ Job Satisfaction ................................................................................ 87
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LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 2. 1: Conceptual Framework ................................................................. 35
xii
ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS
BOM Board of Management
CSO Curriculum Support Officer
DEO District Education Officer
KEMI Kenya Education Management Institute.
KCSE Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education
MOE Ministry of Education
QASO Quality Assurance and Standards Officers
SPSS Statistical Package for the Social Sciences
SCDE Sub-County Director of Education
STEM Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics
TSC Teachers Service Commission
UNESCO United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
WDR World Development Report
xiii
ABSTRACT
The leadership styles of principals are crucial since they have the potential to
significantly impact teacher job satisfaction and the overall functioning of a school on
a daily basis. Although the Ministry of Education, through the TSC, has been hiring
skilled and experienced individuals as principals for public secondary schools, reports
of teacher job unhappiness have nonetheless surfaced. This study aimed to examine
the impact of principals' leadership styles on teachers' job satisfaction in public
secondary schools located in Embakasi Sub-County, Nairobi. The study aimed to
assess the impact of different leadership styles employed by principals on teachers'
job satisfaction in public secondary schools in Embakasi Sub-County. Specifically,
the study focused on the coaching, affiliative, participative, and pacesetting
leadership styles. The study utilized the Two Factor Theory formulated by Frederick
Herzberg. The study employed a descriptive survey design. The research focused on
7 principals, 210 teachers, and 14 education officers affiliated with the Embakasi Sub
County Office. The researchers used purposive sampling to select the Education
Officers, while they used a simple random sample technique to select the Teachers
and Principals. Data was collected through the use of questionnaires administered to
teachers and principals, as well as an interview guide for the Education Officer. The
quantitative data obtained from the objectives was analyzed using SPSS software,
which produced frequencies and percentages that are valuable for presenting the
findings. Tables were utilized to display the findings in this instance. The qualitative
data obtained from the objectives was classified based on themes and, whenever
feasible, provided through frequency tables and explanations within the text. When
teaching leadership, the principle continually assists others in achieving their
objectives. They periodically grant teachers uninterrupted autonomy, focusing the
comprehension of the staff's emotions, while adopting an affiliative approach.
Participative leadership involves the principal periodically engaging in transparent
communication and actively promoting introverted instructors to express their ideas.
The study highlights that in terms of pace-setting, the principle occasionally pressures
instructors to achieve certain goals, thereby maximizing the potential of each
individual teacher. The study found that coaching leadership style had the strongest
positive impact on teachers' job satisfaction (β=0.814, p=0.002<0.05), followed by
affiliative leadership style (β=0.843, p=0.005<0.05), and then pace-setting leadership
style (β=0.801, p=0.001<0.05). Participative leadership style had the least influence
on teachers' job satisfaction (β=0.700, p=0.004<0.05) in public secondary schools in
Embakasi Sub-County. The study's findings offer practical advantages to leaders and
organizations by providing insights into the favorable influence of school leaders'
coaching abilities on employees. Consequently, it is imperative for school leaders to
cultivate their coaching abilities. Principals should cultivate an environment
characterized by inclusivity and support, wherein teachers experience a sense of
belonging and are able to openly articulate their concerns. Promoting open and honest
communication is essential, which may be achieved through regular feedback
sessions and providing ways for instructors to express their ideas. The study indicates
that further research should be conducted in various counties and private schools with
diverse backgrounds to determine whether the impact of principals' leadership styles
on teacher job satisfaction remains consistent.
xiv
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the Study
Education is usually regarded as the most valuable asset that a community can
provide to a child. The primary issue examined in this paper centers on the
pivotal function of education in influencing the future of individuals and
civilizations. Recognized as a potent instrument for eliminating poverty and
promoting collective prosperity by the World Development Report (WDR,
2018), the effectiveness of education is greatly dependent on proficient
leadership within educational institutions. Principals, as crucial individuals in
school administration, have a central role in molding the educational
atmosphere and impacting teacher conduct. According to Fisher (as stated in
FM Wachira et al., 2017), the success of schools is directly linked to the
quality of leadership. The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) in Kenya is
responsible for selecting and assigning school administrators. According to the
TSC Act of 2012, the school principal is designated as the primary educator
and financial officer, emphasizing their crucial role in overseeing day-to-day
operations and educational planning.
John Gardner (2016) defines leadership as the act of persuading a group, either
by an individual or a leadership team, to pursue objectives that are either held
alone by the leader or shared by the leader and their followers. Leadership is
widely recognized as a crucial element that significantly impacts the success
and greatness of schools (Urick, 2016). Leadership style pertains to the
specific manner in which a leader behaves in order to inspire and motivate
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subordinates towards accomplishing the organization's goals. The use of
leadership style in a school refers to the systematic manner in which a school
administrator exerts influence on a teacher or a group of teachers in order to
achieve educational objectives (Omolayo, 2015).
Coaching leadership is a method that focuses on enhancing the abilities and
potential of team members. Leaders that take this approach serve as mentors,
providing constructive criticism and assisting individuals in improving their
performance. The coaching leadership style has been strongly linked to
increased job satisfaction among employees. An important factor that
demonstrates this favorable relationship is the focus on ongoing education and
growth (Karlsen & Berg, 2020). This approach emphasizes the need of
ongoing learning, promoting individual and career development, which in turn
is associated with increased job satisfaction. Leaders that provide coaching
prioritize the independence and belief in one's own abilities of their team,
enabling them to assume responsibility for their tasks and make choices,
resulting in heightened contentment and a feeling of accomplishment (Berg,
2016). Pellitteri (2021) states that issues arise when there is a need for short-
term directed objectives that do not align with the longer-term professional
growth process in the use of this leadership style. Employees may feel
frustrated when their personal growth and development are not given priority.
Although affiliative leadership has favorable results, it sometimes encounters
difficulties. Leaders may place a higher importance on maintaining harmony
rather than taking the required steps to address and fix problems, which could
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potentially impede progress in improving performance (Jarosz, 2021).
Affiliative leadership, characterized by its supportive attitude, has the potential
to create a reliance on the team, which might hinder individual development
and initiative (Chung & Van der Horst, 2020). Achieving a harmonious
equilibrium between promoting positivity and dealing with performance issues
presents a delicate problem that demands subtle management techniques (Dai,
2019). Affiliative leadership, which is distinguished by the establishment of
robust interpersonal connections, seeks to foster a favorable work atmosphere.
By placing importance on inclusivity and equality, affiliative leaders cultivate
trust and eradicate perceptions of hierarchy, so promoting justice and equity,
which ultimately enhances job satisfaction (Bashir & Khalil, 2017; Gambier &
Eclapier, 2023). Nevertheless, difficulties arise when the pursuit of harmony
obstructs essential measures for improvement, which may ultimately result in
a reliance on the team (Chung & Van der Horst, 2020). Affiliative leaders
must prioritize the equilibrium between innovation and performance to ensure
success (Bashir & Khalil, 2017). Furthermore, the challenges linked to
affiliative leadership arise when a group need direction, constructive feedback,
and the attainment of objectives. While it is important to prioritize
interpersonal relationships and pleasant interactions, leaders who only
concentrate on these aspects may encounter difficulties in accomplishing their
goals. This can result in a perception of overall organizational ineffectiveness
and unhappiness when objectives are not achieved. (Pellitteri, 2021).
Participative leadership entails the active engagement of the team in the
decision-making process, which can pose obstacles in terms of time
3
commitment and the possibility for difficulty in reaching a consensus (Lo &
Stark, 2021). Achieving a harmonious equilibrium between inclusivity and
efficiency is an ongoing and complex task, necessitating meticulous
examination of the decision-making dynamics within the team (Amedome,
2018). This leadership style enhances role clarity by ensuring team members
have a clear understanding of their tasks, which promotes a peaceful work
atmosphere (Naqshbandi & Tabche, 2018). Facilitating worker empowerment
through collaborative decision-making improves workplace happiness, as it
makes employees feel appreciated and important (Nazim & Mahmood, 2018).
An inherent limitation of this technique is its capacity to elicit discontentment
when the attainment of goals is excessively postponed or impeded by a dearth
of consensus, especially in cases where the educational establishment
necessitates swift and deliberate measures. (Pellitteri, 2021).
Pacesetting leadership, characterized by stringent criteria and an emphasis on
expeditious outcomes, has the potential to enhance productivity but may also
engender high-stress work situations. To prevent burnout and frustration
among team members, it is essential to strike a balance between expectations
and providing support and guidance (Anderson & Sun, 2017). The leadership
style in question could have an adverse effect on job satisfaction as it entails
the anticipation of immediate outcomes, which may result in stress and a
decline in overall well-being (Munir, 2016). In a pace-setting workplace, team
members who rely on additional support may experience reduced pleasure due
to the necessity of self-motivation (Muga, 2019).
4
The problem of teacher work satisfaction is complex and influenced by
multiple aspects, with good leadership playing a prominent role. Studies
indicate that the leadership approach employed by principals can significantly
influence the overall achievements of a school, as they mold, convey, and
maintain the school's objectives (Hallinger and Heck, 1998, as quoted in
Ertem, 2021). Teacher job satisfaction, an essential element of the educational
setting, is influenced by other elements beyond leadership styles. These factors
include a sense of efficacy, the perceived prestige and esteem linked to
teaching, relationships with colleagues, and working conditions. Crucially, job
satisfaction is closely linked to teachers' perceptions of their expectations and
actual experiences in the teaching profession. To effectively address teacher
job satisfaction, it is necessary to have a thorough comprehension of the
interrelated elements involved in order to establish a helpful and gratifying
work environment in the field of education. Goleman (2000) emphasizes that
educational leaders typically possess strong leadership styles that are
influenced by their personalities and experiences. Principals, while learning
about various leadership styles, sometimes find themselves relying on default
types, which research shows can have both positive and negative outcomes.
The job satisfaction of teachers is strongly linked to their inclination to engage
in capacity-building initiatives and adopt new technology when they are
satisfied. In contrast, a lack of job satisfaction results in adverse consequences
such as frequent absences, hostile behavior, intents to leave the job, less
dedication, and premature retirement, which adversely affect the stability of
the teaching workforce in the field (Young, 2018).
5
Research conducted by Sims (2018) on teacher data from the Teaching and
Learning International Survey (TALIS) 2013, demonstrates a clear and
positive relationship between student discipline, principals' collaboration, and
teacher job satisfaction across different countries. Various demographic
characteristics, such as gender, age, marital status, and education level, have
been found to have distinct effects on teachers' job satisfaction in studies
conducted in Malaysia, Ethiopia, and Pakistan (Ghavifekr et al., 2016;
Getahun et al., 2016; Nazim, 2018).
Job satisfaction is influenced by various organizational elements, such as
leadership styles, pay, workplace flexibility, job autonomy, job security, and
overall leadership (Fung et al., 2018). Establishing a favorable school
atmosphere, instigated by the principal's guidance, is essential for the well-
being of both students and staff. Retaining satisfied teachers is crucial,
particularly in STEM subjects, where hiring and keeping skilled teachers is
challenging (World Bank, 2006). Based on Sims' (2018) research, educators
who specialize in STEM fields, which include science, technology,
engineering, and mathematics, were less likely to transfer schools in the global
setting. Nevertheless, there was no apparent association found between the
STEM majors of teachers and their levels of job satisfaction.
The results of a study conducted by Daily (2018) in the United States indicate
that 25% of teachers quit their professions before completing three years of
service owing to discontent, and almost 40% depart before completing five
years in the profession. If the principal does not provide strong support, the
6
teaching workload can become excessively burdensome and result in
unhappiness. An excessive number of lessons might adversely affect the
mental and physical well-being of the teacher. According to the 2017 Educator
Quality of Work Life Survey conducted by the American Federation of
Teachers in the USA, 61% of teachers reported that their work were frequently
or consistently stressful. As a consequence of that stress, 58% of the
participants reported experiencing subpar mental health.
A study conducted in Ibadan, Nigeria examined the dominant leadership styles
employed by principals in public secondary schools. The findings revealed
that the participative leadership style was the most common, accounting for
29.3% of the cases. Coaching leadership style was rated at 9.7%, while pace-
setting leadership style was reported at 6.9%.(Bakare and Oredein, 2021). This
aligns with a study conducted in Punjab, Pakistan by Ahmad and Dilshad
(2016), which discovered that democratic (participative) leadership styles are
widely favored and most effective in the realm of education. This aligns with a
study conducted in senior secondary schools in Ondo State, Nigeria, aimed at
determining the leadership style of principals and its impact on teachers' levels
of job satisfaction. The study revealed that the democratic leadership style is
the most frequently employed in that region, and the level of job satisfaction
among teachers is moderate. Adeyemi (quoted in FM Wachira et al.,2017).
Nevertheless, Okoji (2016) argued in his research that a combination of
leadership styles would significantly enhance the job performance and
productivity of Nigerian teachers in selected rural community schools in Ondo
State, Nigeria. According to Okafor (as cited in Eboka, 2016), the success or
7
failure of secondary school administration or other institutions in Nigeria is
greatly influenced by the leaders' impact on their subordinates.
A survey carried out by Emoja (2016) at secondary schools in Kakamega
Central District, Kenya, found that a significant proportion of teachers (47%)
expressed dissatisfaction and expressed strong intentions to leave their current
positions if presented with an alternative work opportunity. Merely 31%
expressed no want to evacuate. As reported by Oyaro (as stated in Emoja,
2016), Kenyan schools experienced a loss of 600 instructors in the first half of
2008 due to the attraction of higher-paying employment opportunities.
According to Onwonga (as cited in Emoja, 2016), around 6000 individuals
leave the teaching profession every year. Within the specific setting of
Embakasi Sub-County in Kenya, there is a notable level of unhappiness
among teachers, with a majority indicating a strong inclination to leave their
current positions. The Teaching Service Commission (TSC) is experiencing a
high annual attrition rate in the teaching profession as a result of teacher
unhappiness, which is causing them to leave for other professions (Emoja,
2016). The results emphasize the importance of promptly addressing teacher
work satisfaction, which is influenced by the leadership styles of principals.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
The principal, in their capacity as the school's leader, plays a crucial role in
providing guidance to both the institution and its broader community. The
influence of school leaders on teacher behavior has been thoroughly examined
by a range of stakeholders and scholars. The leadership styles utilized by
8
principals are crucial, as they have a significant impact on both teacher job
satisfaction and the daily functioning of the school. The discourse surrounding
the utilization of suitable leadership styles becomes important since it impacts
almost every aspect inside a school, potentially dictating the levels of job
contentment among instructors. Although the Ministry of Education, with the
assistance of the TSC, has been hiring competent and experienced individuals
as principals for different public secondary schools, there are ongoing
allegations of teacher discontentment, leading to below-average performance
and high rates of teacher turnover.
Even in the same school, where teachers experience identical circumstances
regarding wage scales, workloads, recognition, incentives, and rules and
regulations, there is variation in levels of satisfaction. Varying individual
perspectives arise even in seemingly equal circumstances, necessitating a
deeper examination of school management and operations. Significantly,
although the government has made attempts to provide standardized
workshops and seminars for principals and teachers from different schools
across the country, there has not been an equal attainment of job satisfaction.
This disparity highlights the necessity of investigating the ways in which these
centralized treatments impact different levels of satisfaction and
comprehending the fundamental processes that determine teacher happiness.
The adoption of multiple leadership styles becomes vital in attaining
objectives and influencing teacher attitudes due to the multifaceted tasks of
principals, which include assessing learner progress, supervising teachers, and
9
reviewing curriculum implementation. In order to guarantee increased levels
of job satisfaction among instructors, it is crucial that principals, in addition to
being well-informed and skilled, hold the necessary qualifications for their
positions. Equally crucial is the utilization of leadership abilities with the goal
of enhancing job happiness, since the influence of leadership styles on teacher
attitudes can have both favorable and unfavorable effects.
Although comparative research has extensively examined the leadership styles
of principals in various countries and their impact on teacher efficacy and
student academic achievement, there has been a notable neglect of the problem
of teachers' job happiness (Akiba & Liang, 2017). Although there has been
significant focus on the influence of principals' conduct, administrative skills,
and work environment on leadership roles, there is a noticeable lack of
scholarly research on the specific leadership styles—coaching, affiliative, and
pace-setting—exhibited by school principals in Public Secondary Schools in
Nairobi County. Thus, this study seeks to fill this void by examining the
impact of principals' leadership styles on teacher work satisfaction in
Embakasi Sub-county, Nairobi.
1.3 Purpose of the Study
This study aimed to examine the impact of principals' leadership styles on
teachers' job satisfaction in public secondary schools in Embakasi Sub-
County, Nairobi.
10
1.4 Objectives of the Study
The study was guided by the following objectives:
i. Establish the extent to which coaching leadership style employed by
the principal influence teachers‘ job satisfaction in public secondary
schools in Embakasi Sub-County.
ii. Determine how affiliative leadership style employed by the principal
influences teachers‘ job satisfaction in public secondary schools in
Embakasi Sub-County.
iii. Establish the extent to which participative leadership style employed
by the principal influence teachers‘ job satisfaction in public secondary
schools in Embakasi Sub-County.
iv. Determine how pacesetting leadership style employed by the principal
influences teachers‘ job satisfaction in public secondary schools in
Embakasi Sub-County.
1.5 Research Questions
The study was guided by the following research questions:
i. To what extent does coaching leadership style employed by the
principal influence teachers‘ job satisfaction in public secondary
schools in Embakasi Sub-County?
ii. To what extent does affiliative leadership style employ by the principal
influence teachers‘ job satisfaction in public secondary schools in
Embakasi Sub-County?
11
iii. To what extent does participative leadership style employed by the
principal influence teachers‘ job satisfaction in public secondary
schools in Embakasi Sub-County?
iv. To what extent does pacesetting leadership style employed by the
principal influence teachers‘ job satisfaction in public secondary
schools in Embakasi Sub-County?
1.6 Significance of the Study
This study aimed to investigate the often overlooked correlation between the
leadership style of administrators and the level of job satisfaction among
teachers. The semi-autonomous government agencies within the Ministry of
Education, such as the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), are expected to
gain valuable insights from this research. Specifically, the research findings
will provide recommendations on the most suitable leadership styles for
principals in schools. The Kenya Education Management Institute (KEMI)
should take into account the findings while creating content for teacher
management trainings.
Academic professionals may find the study results valuable for expanding the
existing information on leadership styles that are relevant and their influence
on teacher job satisfaction. This study could provide valuable insights for
principals and other subordinate administrators, such as deputy principals and
department heads. It would enhance their comprehension of the effectiveness
of different leadership styles and their impact on teachers, as well as identify
areas that require improvement. The findings may provide guidance to
12
educational field officers, such as Quality Assurance and Standards Officers
(QASOs), in advising on teacher management strategies.
1.7 Limitations of the Study
Given that most of the schools in the studied area are situated in low-income
areas or informal settlements, the research findings were cautiously
extrapolated to other schools in the sub-county. The survey was done mostly
at schools at the county and sub-county level, rather than at the national or
extra-county level. Therefore, it would be challenging to generalize the
findings to a different locality that includes schools at all levels. Although the
data collection instruments were intended to ensure both validity and
reliability, this was not fully achieved due to the fact that the principals, whose
leadership styles were being examined, were just a portion of the respondents.
As a result, the information provided by these principals may have been
biased. In order to address these concerns, the researcher provided reassurance
to the participants on the rigorous maintenance of anonymity and the ethical
conduct of the questioning process.
1.8 Delimitations of the Study
The research was carried out at Embakasi Sub County, located in Nairobi
County, inside the Republic of Kenya. The sub county possessed schools that
exhibited distinct variations in numerous aspects. Some schools were
coeducational, while others were single-sex for either boys or girls.
Additionally, some schools offered both day and boarding options. The study
focused exclusively on teaching staff members who hold permanent and
13
pensionable positions, including those employed by the Board of Management
(BOM) and those under government contractual terms. Support staff were
excluded from the research, as their satisfaction factors may differ from those
of teaching staff. These cadres exhibited variations in terms of compensation,
enjoyed rights, perception by the school's leadership, job stability, and other
factors. By doing research specifically targeting teaching personnel who are
on permanent and pensionable contracts, the researcher is more likely to
obtain comprehensive information and receive constructive comments. This is
because these individuals possess a well-informed viewpoint on the research
process.
Additionally, the study was limited to public schools due to potential
disparities in leadership styles and institutional atmosphere compared to
private schools. Private schools were excluded from this study due to their
scarcity, and if any were present, they were primarily located in informal
settlements. The teachers employed by these private institutions may not be
subject to the same issues that impact teacher job satisfaction as those at
public secondary schools. By focusing exclusively on public secondary
schools, the researcher increased the likelihood of obtaining more dependable
data. This approach allowed for the examination of institutions with similar
attributes, and public secondary schools, being government-owned, were
expected to be more open to participating in the research.
14
1.9 Basic Assumptions of the Study
The survey was done assuming that all respondents possessed a
comprehensive comprehension of the tasks, responsibilities, and leadership
approaches of a principal. In addition, the researcher used the assumption that
all respondents were cooperative. The study was done under the assumption
that the respondents provided unbiased information regarding the leadership
styles of the principals.
1.10 Definition of Significant Terms
The following are the significant terms that were used in the study:
Coaching leadership: this is a leadership type where the leader focuses on
identifying strengths and weaknesses of individuals with the aim of promoting
long term professional growth and development.
Affiliative leadership: refers to the leadership type in which the leader
encourages members of the organization to build positive relationships with
one another hence increases team morale, limited conflicts and trust.
Participative leadership: refers to the leadership type where the leader sought
to involve the employees of the organization, solicit their ideas and opinions
and take their suggestions into serious consideration before settling on a
decision.
Pacesetting leadership: is a leadership style in which a leader holds their
subordinates accountable for meeting expectations with an emphasis on
achievement and efficiency. Here leaders may also assign themselves work to
compensate for lapses in their team‘s performance.
15
Leadership: is a process of encouraging and helping others to work
enthusiastically towards objectives
Leadership style: is a classification of how one behaves when leading a
group.
Job satisfaction: is an individual‘s positive measurable judgment on his or
her working conditions and its aspects.
Job dissatisfaction: refers to a feeling of discontentment in a given job.
Principal: refers to the leader of the secondary school who is in charge of the
day today running of the school.
Subordinates: refers to the teachers working under the school principal.
1.11 Organization of the study
This study was organized into five chapters. Chapter one which was the
introduction of the study included background to the study, statement of the
problem, purpose of the study, research objectives, research questions,
significance of the study, limitations and delimitations of the study, basic
assumptions, definition of significant terms. Chapter two entailed review of
related literature in the concept of leadership and leadership styles like
coaching, affiliative, participative and pacesetting. Reference was made to
these leadership styles on the teachers‘ level of job satisfaction. Chapter three
described the methodology used in research. This included research design,
target population, sampling technique, sample size, research instrument,
validity and reliability, data collection procedure and data analysis techniques
and ethical considerations. Chapter four contained information on data
16
analysis, interpretation and discussed research findings. Being the last, chapter
five concentrated on the summary of research findings, conclusion, solutions,
recommendations and suggestions for further research.
17
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Introduction
This chapter encompasses a literature review that will be subdivided into
seven distinct subheadings. The subheadings encompassed the topics of
leadership styles, specifically school leadership styles, coaching leadership
style and its impact on job satisfaction, affiliative leadership style and its
impact on job satisfaction, participative leadership style and its impact on job
satisfaction, pacesetting leadership style and its impact on job satisfaction.
Additionally, the subheadings included a summary of the literature review, the
theoretical framework, and the conceptual framework.
2.2 Concept of Leadership Styles
Leadership is a complex concept that encompasses various dimensions,
making it difficult to provide a single, all-encompassing definition.
Alonderiene and Majauskaite (2016) define leadership as a strategic approach
to influencing individuals in order to achieve specified objectives or outcomes.
Prior research has suggested that leaders can play a role in cultivating,
molding, and maintaining a desired corporate culture, which in turn can
impact innovative work behavior by fostering new shared values (Naqshbandi
& Tabche, 2018).
Directive leadership and unpleasant leadership styles have been found to
hinder innovation. This phenomena arises due to the presence of leadership
styles that are marked by a strong emphasis on control, compliance, and
18
limited flexibility, resulting in reduced levels of innovation and adaptability
among employees (Naqshbandi & Tabche, 2018). A study conducted in
Pakistan by Nazim (2018) indicates that managers have a significant impact
on the working behavior of subordinates and play a crucial role in guiding
them towards achieving organizational objectives. According to Karabina
(2016), leadership style plays a crucial role in influencing the job happiness of
teachers. In the past, studies concentrated on three distinct leadership styles:
authoritarian, democratic, and laissez-faire. Nevertheless, contemporary
businesses have encountered obstacles that necessitate enhanced leadership
quality, resulting in the emergence of novel leadership models. Nazim and
Mahmood (2018) assert that the supervisor's behavior has the potential to
impact job satisfaction in either a favorable or negative manner. They assert
that this conduct is manifested either through spoken or non-spoken means.
Childress (2009, as referenced by Munir, 2016) found that the performance of
a leader in accomplishing organizational goals is heavily influenced by the
way they establish and nurture relationships. In recent years, several
leadership theories and models have been regarded as indicators of a leader's
effectiveness. Transformational and transactional leadership practices are
highly effective in fostering favorable impressions among employees, such as
job satisfaction and motivation. Callaghan (quoted in Munir, 2016).
Goleman (2017) outlines six distinct leadership styles in the situational
leadership theory: coaching, affiliative, participative, pacesetting,
authoritative, and visionary. Four styles were included in this study and their
19
definitions are as follows: Coaching is a leadership style focused on enhancing
an individual's personal growth and job-related abilities. Affiliative leadership,
on the other hand, is the use of praise to foster a sense of belonging among
employees. The participative leadership style involves the leader actively
involving employees in the decision-making process, while the pacesetting
leadership style entails the leader setting exceptionally high expectations for
employees and leading by personal example.
2.3 School Leadership
Maxwell (2016), an esteemed expert in the field of leadership, defines
leadership as the deliberate exertion of influence, without any further
elements. In an educational institution, leadership is seen as the principal's
capacity to exert influence on the instructors' actions in order to achieve
specific objectives and goals of the school. According to Welgemood (as
referenced by Muga, 2019), school leadership can be defined as the principal's
capacity to motivate teachers to engage in activities that they would not
typically undertake without the guidance of a leader. The TSC Career
Progression Guidelines for Teachers (2017) define the principle as the highest-
ranking executive of the institution. Mbwiria, as referenced by Muga (2019),
highlighted four concrete characteristics of teacher leadership. These
dimensions include the implementation of school improvement concepts in
individual classrooms and the participation of all teachers in the school's
transformation process. They collaborate with their colleagues in order to
achieve a shared objective. Furthermore, teachers play a mediating role by
offering the necessary skills and information to facilitate school reform.
20
Lastly, but as important, teacher leadership entails fostering harmonious
relationships with colleagues to benefit the students. Sims (2018) have
identified school leadership, career advancement prospects, and student
discipline as significant factors associated with teacher job satisfaction, based
on the TALIS 2013 data for England.
Lindblom (2018) defines educational leadership as the provision of extensive
support to both students and teachers, with a specific focus on equipping
teachers with the necessary resources and conducive environments to
efficiently fulfill their professional duties. Gaining knowledge, refining and
developing skills, and adopting appropriate methodologies all contribute to
effective leadership. Nwakpa (2017) emphasized that the leadership style of
the principal plays a crucial role in achieving effective management and
teacher satisfaction. The World Bank (2015) confirmed this perspective,
identifying the principal's leadership style as one of the primary determinants
influencing teacher job satisfaction. In a separate research, educators consider
the leadership style of their principal to be a primary factor in assessing their
degree of job [Link] citation is from Ch et al. (2017). Leaders
typically exhibit a unique leadership approach as they adeptly motivate and
inspire their followers. The term "leadership style" refers to the specific
approach that a leader takes in leading and interacting with their subordinates
(Northouse, 2021). This statement concerns the way in which a leader's
behaviors, attitudes, and actions affect and direct others who are under their
influence. The organizational or school culture can also impact the leadership
style of the principal. For example, if the employees are well-trained,
21
educated, and motivated, it is likely that the principle will adopt a liberal
leadership [Link] and Oredein (2021)
Financial security might be another factor that affects a leader's leadership
style. Employers who provide generous compensation to their employees from
the beginning effectively cultivate employee motivation. A leader who is
highly motivated by adequate compensation, leading to financial stability, will
exhibit a willingness to embrace and execute effective leadership approaches
to guide the firm towards success. This observation indicates that leaders who
are not experiencing financial pressure are more inclined to be motivated to
put out their utmost effort in order to achieve the aims and objectives of the
firm. They utilize strategies that align with their preferred style of leadership
(Bakare & Oredein, 2021). Conversely, a leader who experiences financial
insecurity may not possess the necessary psychological readiness to
effectively achieve educational goals and objectives. This issue arises from an
inherent burden and pressure that hinders the leader's cognitive abilities, hence
restricting their capacity to effectively carry out leadership, irrespective of the
selected leadership style. A considerable proportion of public school
administrators in Nigeria have been consistently missing from their designated
positions, as they prioritize alternate means of financial stability over fulfilling
their duties.
The function of leadership is crucial in determining the performance of
teachers (Andriani et al., 2018). An effective leader guides the team with
seamless efficiency. Hence, the leadership of a principle consistently has a
22
favorable impact on their subordinates. An effective school principal utilizes
teachers strategically to achieve superior student outcomes through strong
leadership abilities. In addition to the principal's leadership, the work
environment also plays a vital influence in the success of teachers. The studies
clearly demonstrate that the work environment has a substantial impact on the
performance of teachers (Kuncoro & Dardiri, 2017). According to Jonyo and
Jonyo (2017), certain instructors who choose to leave their jobs cite an
unpleasant and dissatisfying work environment caused by their superiors as
the reason for their departure.
2.4 Principals’ Coaching Leadership Style and Job Satisfaction
The coaching leadership style is based on the principles of optimism, self-
efficacy, positive emotions, and learning. The primary aim of coaching is to
maximize the potential of individuals, with the purpose of attaining both
personal and organizational objectives (Karlsen & Berg, 2020). According to
Dai (2019), the coaching leadership style fosters both innovative behavior and
job motivation among employees. The coaching leadership style, as discussed
in Berg's (2016) study, is seen as a strategic and enduring method to fostering
employee growth and fostering strong and consistent interactions within a
group. Moreover, the implementation of a coaching method has a favorable
impact on fostering a coaching culture, hence promoting employee well-being
and satisfaction (Jarosz, 2021).
The coaching leadership style is encompassed under several leadership
behavior approaches, including transformational, transactional, laissez-faire,
23
and servant leadership. These leadership behaviors have included several
coaching ways to assist people in advancing their careers, acquiring new
skills, changing negative attitudes towards work, and adopting more effective
strategies for managing difficult work [Link] citation is from Ismail et al.
(2023). Based on the current scholarly research, coaching leadership functions
within a dyadic relationship framework where leaders utilize two distinct
styles: guidance, which entails learning through observation, and facilitation,
which involves learning through practical application. Leaders proficient in
continuously adopting these tactics can significantly enhance staff
performance by bolstering their confidence in performing job obligations and
raising job satisfaction (Hui et al., 2023).
Ismail et al. (2023) suggests that previous research on various job settings
supports the notion that employees' confidence in their abilities to perform
duties serves as a clear sign of the implementation of coaching leadership
style. Jonyo & Jonyo (2017) suggest that fostering leadership skills through
coaching can facilitate succession planning and provide career opportunities
for teachers, hence enhancing retention rates.
Kruse (2019) posits that the coaching leadership style perceives individuals
and their talents as entities that necessitate nurturing and growth.
Consequently, leaders who practice coaching aim to discover the inherent
qualities and undiscovered capabilities of individuals. People have the belief
that every individual possesses valuable contributions and are willing to make
adjustments for others. In addition, they serve as mentors and facilitators,
24
assisting individuals in uncovering and establishing a connection with their
inherent talents, enabling them to achieve their maximum capabilities. The
coach's leadership style is often regarded as highly beneficial for both
managers and employees, owing to its myriad perks and advantages. Despite
being commonly neglected because to its greater time investment in
comparison to other styles of leadership. If any organization implements it, it
showcases enduring sustainability.
2.5 Principals’ Affiliative Leadership Style and Job Satisfaction
Goleman (2000) is the primary authority responsible for developing numerous
leadership styles, including the affiliative style (Bashir & Khalil, 2017). His
insights have influenced corporations and educational procedures,
emphasizing that the guiding principle of "people come first" is what
motivates affiliative leaders. According to him, an affiliative leader is
someone who has faith in others and enhances their abilities based on the
principle that people are the top priority. He asserts that implementing this
leadership approach can effectively enhance morale, particularly when utilized
by the principal in a school amongst challenging circumstances where
personnel may be encountering diminished job contentment.
Henderson (2015) argues that principals employing this approach not only
influence the school environment but also have an effect on the community
and other individuals or groups with a vested interest in the school. However,
this strategy can have a detrimental effect on schools since it emphasizes
praise, perhaps resulting in mediocrity and unaddressed underperformance
25
(Goleman, 2000). He asserts that if the principal adopts this leadership style,
they may prioritize maintaining positive relationships above providing
constructive comments. Teachers may also experience uncertainty over how to
improve due to a lack of feedback. Given its singular emphasis on
commendation, it is advisable not to rely solely on this approach, as it may
lead staff to believe that the leader endorses mediocrity and tolerates
substandard performance. This approach is suitable when the leader is focused
on fostering team cohesion, enhancing employee motivation, striving for
enhanced communication, and restoring trust among those who have been
wronged (Goleman, 2000). As per Kruse (2019), successful school leadership
necessitates embracing love as a guiding principle. Scientific studies and
personal experience indicate that fear-based leadership, although commonly
observed and seemingly capable of motivating people, ultimately hampers
creativity and hinders effective communication. Fear is a contributing
component to the emergence of stress and the phenomenon of work attrition.
2.6 Principals’ Pacesetting Leadership Style and Job Satisfaction
This leadership style involves the leader establishing elevated standards for the
institution they represent (Goleman, 2000). According to him, a leader of this
kind becomes fixated on improving and accelerating tasks, while identifying
areas of inadequate performance. Goleman further contended that this
leadership style detrimentally impacts the overall atmosphere, as many
employees become overwhelmed by the leaders' insistence on achieving
excellence. The leaders exhibit the chores they are handling and thereafter
request their subordinates to do the same (Bashir & Khalil, 2017). They assert
26
that if employees are unable to reach the established targets, they are
subsequently substituted with individuals who are capable of doing so. Pal
(2022) states that the advantages of the pace-setting leadership style are that
the supervisor promptly addresses problems to prevent them from escalating,
takes swift action to ensure continuous progress on a task until the problem is
resolved, and enables the utilization of each team member's skills and abilities.
Moreover, the stringent timeframes linked to this approach render it well-
suited for immediate and delicate objectives.
A study done in India by Rani and Prasad (2017) found that the pace-setting
leadership style of teachers did not have a significant impact on teacher
efficiency. The study also shown that the age of the instructors influenced the
relationship between the pace-setting leadership style and teacher
effectiveness. Specifically, the pace-setting leadership style was found to have
a negative correlation with teacher effectiveness. The teachers experienced a
sense of being overwhelmed by the leaders' expectations for high performance
and were displeased with his inclination to exert excessive control, which in
turn had a negative impact on the overall atmosphere and levels of
contentment within the school (Goleman, 2000).
The pace-setting leadership style possesses some drawbacks. It induces
feelings of being overwhelmed, demotivated, and agitated among employees
due to its emphasis on high speed and outcome orientation. Additionally, it
fosters ego-centrism by exerting control over subordinates and maintaining
constant surveillance, which can undermine trust. Additionally, there is a lack
27
of employee involvement due to the absence of emphasis on relationships and
morale. Instead, the focus is solely on completing duties hastily, resulting in a
lack of commitment among individuals (Pal, 2022). The pace-setting
leadership style possesses distinct traits. Pace-setting leaders establish highly
ambitious objectives and performance benchmarks, anticipating their
followers to emulate them. Pace-setting leaders exemplify the ideal behaviors
and work ethic for their followers, acting as role models (Goleman et al.,
2013).
2.7 Principals’ Participative Leadership Style and Job Satisfaction
Participative leadership, commonly referred to as the democratic style of
leadership, involves the active engagement of team members in the process of
setting goals and devising strategies to achieve them. Goleman (2000)
elucidated that a democratic leader generates agreement by encouraging active
engagement. This leadership style promotes active involvement in the
decision-making process, either through formal channels such as feedback or
informally through interactions (Bashir & Khalil, 2017). Participative
leadership involves delegating responsibilities to subordinates by engaging
them in the process of planning, decision-making, and ultimate execution.
Amedome (2018) asserts that this leadership style has favorable impacts on
the overall atmosphere of the school and the level of job contentment among
teachers. According to him, this strategy is highly beneficial when the
principal is uncertain about the optimal course of action, as it enables
instructors to provide innovative and unrestricted suggestions.
28
Goleman (2000) contends that by employing this approach, principals may
cultivate adaptability, accountability, and innovation by granting teachers
autonomy in the decision-making process. In contrast, he asserts that if left
unchecked, this approach might result in stagnation caused by never-ending
deliberations that bewilder teachers. According to Brown, as referenced in
Akpoviroro et al. (2018), including subordinates in decision-making processes
regarding their work can lead to psychological motivation, hence enhancing
employee morale and productivity. Participative leadership is a highly
essential style of leadership behavior due to its significant connection and
correlation with employee work performance. A study conducted by Dalluay
and Jalagat (2016) revealed that this particular leadership style exerts a
significant impact on both job satisfaction and overall productivity. This aligns
with the findings of Yang & Lim (2016), who discovered a robust correlation
between followers and participative leaders, resulting in elevated levels of
employee work performance and job satisfaction.
According to many ideas, participative leadership has distinct and notable
impacts on employees. The social exchange theory posits that participative
leadership has an impact on employees by fostering their workplace well-
being and encouraging their cooperative behavior (Usman et al., 2021). The
conservation of resources theory posits that participative leadership induces a
shift in employee behavior by augmenting their workload and enhancing
organizational [Link] citation for the study is Peng et al., 2021. The
social cognitive theory posits that the use of a participative leadership style
enhances employees' self-efficacy and psychological security, hence
29
influencing employee innovation and performance (Zou et al., 2020). The
social information processing theory suggests that cultural factors can
influence the impact of participative leadership on employee behavior.
Additionally, the implicit leadership theory explains that participative
leadership promotes information sharing, which in turn enhances employee
job performance (Lam et al., 2015).
Avolio & Bass, as referenced by Bwalya (2023), identified multiple attributes
of participative leadership. Firstly, participative leadership enables inclusive
decision-making by recognizing the significance of several perspectives and
actively including team members in the decision-making process. They
endorse the promotion of open discussions, engage in attentive listening to
diverse perspectives, and meticulously examine alternate opinions prior to
arriving at definitive conclusions. Additionally, participative leaders involve
team members in the decision-making process to establish the organization's
course, while promoting the creation of a collective vision and shared
objectives. This fosters the cultivation of a feeling of possession and
dedication among team members. Supportive communication is a significant
component of participative leadership since it involves promoting open and
transparent lines of communication between leaders and their team members.
The individuals in question adopt a proactive stance by soliciting input,
delivering regular updates, and ensuring that the necessary information
pertinent to their specific responsibilities is readily available to all relevant
parties. Furthermore, the participative leadership style promotes the
empowerment and autonomy of team members, enabling them to proactively
30
take charge, exercise their decision-making power, and actively contribute to
problem-solving endeavors. Autonomy in an organizational setting has been
demonstrated to enhance employee motivation and foster a heightened sense
of accountability towards achieving the organization's objectives. Ultimately,
participative leaders foster an environment characterized by trust and respect,
where they highly appreciate the input of each team member. This cultivates a
favorable and collaborative work environment where team members perceive
themselves as being esteemed and are incentivized to articulate their thoughts.
2.8 Summary of Literature Review
The literature study analyzed the impact of principals' leadership styles on
teacher work satisfaction. Coaching leadership style fosters a mentorship
culture, resulting in improved employee well-being and happiness (Jarosz,
2021). Bashir and Khalil (2017) argue that employing an affiliative leadership
style, particularly by the principal in a school, might enhance morale,
particularly during challenging periods when staff may be suffering
diminished job satisfaction. Research findings from a different study suggest
that this approach can have a detrimental effect on schools since it emphasizes
praise, which can result in average performance and unaddressed
underachievement (Goleman, 2000). A study conducted in India by Rani and
Prasad (2017) found that administrators who exhibited a pacesetting
leadership style caused teachers to feel overwhelmed by their demands for
perfection and resentful of their tendency to dominate, resulting in a negative
impact on the school climate and levels of satisfaction. Amedome (2018)
asserts that the utilization of a participative leadership style yields favorable
31
outcomes in terms of school atmosphere and teacher job satisfaction.
However, his claim contradicts a previous discovery made by Goleman (2000)
that states if not controlled, this approach can result in a lack of progress
owing to never-ending conversations that confuse teachers.
In contrast to this study, which focuses solely on Embakasi, a previous study
conducted by Kasinga (2010) extrapolated its findings to Nairobi as a whole.
Other studies, on the other hand, were undertaken in rural areas like as
Kiambu and Meru. Furthermore, the independent variables being examined in
this study are distinct from the ones previously analyzed. Given the
contradictions mentioned above, it is necessary to do additional research to
examine the impact of principals' leadership styles on teachers' job
satisfaction. An efficient leadership style can significantly improve staff
morale, leading to enhanced organizational performance and the successful
attainment of organizational objectives. Conversely, an inefficient leadership
style has a detrimental impact on employee opinions and performance. The
correlation between leadership style and organizational performance has
prompted extensive research on leadership, resulting in the development of
various leadership theories. Each theory suggests a unique leadership style,
often a combination of styles, to enhance job satisfaction and performance.
The reference is from Hussain and Hassan's work published in 2016.
Goleman (2000) suggests that the appropriate combination of leadership
qualities should be determined based on the current circumstances. He
contended that in times of crisis, effective leaders must insist on compliance
32
through coercive leadership, rally individuals with an authoritative approach,
foster harmony and emotional connections through an affiliative style,
establish consensus through participatory (democratic) methods, set ambitious
performance standards with a pace-setting style, and cultivate individuals for
future growth through coaching leadership. A study conducted in Canada by
Saxena et al. (2017) examined the use of Goleman's leadership styles in
medical educational settings. The study included a sample of 42 administrators
from three different levels of authority within the hierarchy. The prevailing
approach at the lowest tier of governance (characterized by relatively limited
authority) was democratic, involving active participation. Mid-level
administrators predominantly employed coaching strategies, whereas senior
administrators employed a diverse range of approaches, with no single style
emerging as dominant.
2.9 Theoretical Framework
The study was conducted based on the Two Factor Theory proposed by
Frederick Herzberg (as mentioned in Okumbe, 2007). According to the notion,
job satisfaction and dissatisfaction are caused by distinct and separate
variables, namely motivation and hygienic issues. He hypothesized that the
elements contributing to satisfaction were distinct from those causing
discontent and then formulated the motivation-hygiene hypothesis to elucidate
these impacts. Herzberg referred to the factors that bring satisfaction as
motivators, and the factors that cause dissatisfaction as hygiene. The drivers of
job satisfaction that he found included recognition, achievement, the nature of
the work, responsibility, advancement, and personal growth. Among these
33
factors that provide satisfaction, work itself, responsibility, and advancement
stood up as the most prominent, while achievement and recognition had a role
in determining the level of responsibility and the nature of the work itself. The
hygiene considerations are based on the necessity to prevent discomfort and
encompass elements such as salary, supervision, working conditions,
regulations and administration, and interpersonal connections. The relevance
of Herzberg's theory to this study lies in its recognition of teachers' dual sets of
demands, which necessitate addressing both.
2.10 Conceptual Framework
The conceptual framework posits that the leadership style of the principal
(independent variable) influences teacher job satisfaction (dependent variable).
Additional confounding factors may also be involved and impact job
satisfaction. The framework demonstrates that irrespective of the
circumstances, leadership style has a significant impact on the job satisfaction
of teachers, either in a favorable or negative manner. This study aims to
determine the impact of the aforementioned leadership styles on the job
satisfaction of teachers at public secondary schools in Embakasi Sub County,
Nairobi.
The study aimed to examine the leadership styles of principals that impact
teachers' job satisfaction in public secondary schools in Embakasi Sub-
County, Nairobi. The independent variable, the leadership styles of principals,
encompassed many components such as coaching, pacesetting, participatory,
and affiliative approaches. The variable measuring teachers' job satisfaction
34
was evaluated based on several factors, including salary and advancement
opportunities, working conditions, interpersonal interactions at work,
acknowledgment of achievements, level of responsibility, utilization of talents
and abilities, staff turnover, and organizational policies and administration.
Independent Variable
Dependent Variable
Coaching Leadership
style
Learning
Retention of staff
Self-efficacy
Consistency at work
Pacesetting Leadership
Style
Instant results
Self-motivation
High targets Job Satisfaction
Leadership Pay and promotion
Working conditions
Participative leadership Styles Work relationships
style Recognition
Collaboration Responsibility
Role clarity Use of skills and
Collective decisions abilities
Staff empowerment Staff turn-over
Policies and
administration
Affiliative leadership style
Equality across cadres
Openness
Flexibility in role
completion
Excellent
communication
Figure 2. 1: Conceptual Framework
35
Coaching leadership style was measured using learning, retention of staff, self-
efficacy, and consistency at work. Learning can be used to increase job
satisfaction through proper application of skills and abilities. The construct of
self-efficacy has been shown to improve both job performance and job
satisfaction. Consistent behavior creates clear expectations, certainty, and
trust. Retention increases the employees‘ loyalty and can lead to promotion.
The assessment of the pacesetting leadership style was based on immediate
outcomes, intrinsic motivation, and ambitious objectives. Imposing a
requirement for immediate outcomes might cause a decrease in employee
morale and result in employee turnover. Self-motivation enhances professional
connections, whereas excessively demanding goals impose undue stress on
employees, resulting in staff turnover.
The indicators employed to assess the participative leadership style encompass
the following: collaboration, which enhances work satisfaction by fostering
positive work relationships; role clarity, which facilitates the effective
utilization of employees' skills and abilities; collective decision-making, which
fosters a sense of belonging and contributes to a more fulfilling work
environment; and staff empowerment, which results in improved
communication of the school's policies and facilitates promotion and
recognition.
The affiliative leadership style was evaluated based on the following
indicators: equality among different levels of employees, which demonstrates
recognition and fosters positive work relationships; openness, which enhances
36
working conditions and the overall organizational climate; flexibility in
completing roles, which reduces pressure and leads to lower attrition rates; and
effective communication, which enhances policy implementation and
administration.
37
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.1 Introduction
The chapter was partitioned into seven subsections. The study encompassed
various components, namely research design, target population, sample size
and sampling procedures, research instruments, validity and reliability of the
research instruments, data collection procedure, and data analysis
methodologies.
3.2 Research Design
This study utilized a descriptive survey approach. Descriptive survey designs
are employed when the researcher aims to investigate phenomena in their
natural state, without any deliberate intervention or manipulation of variables.
Furthermore, the data collected by the researcher may take the form of
narratives or numerical values (Ravid, 2019). According to Mugenda (as cited
in Musa et al., 2017), surveys are used to collect data from a population in
order to assess the current state of that population in relation to one or more
variables. Therefore, this study aligns with the descriptive survey research
design.
3.3 Target Population
The target population refers to the specific demographic that a researcher aims
to apply the findings of the study to, as mentioned by Oso and Onen (as cited
in Kambwambwa et al., 2019). The study focused on the target population of
231 individuals, including 7 principals, 210 teachers, and at least 14 Sub-
38
county Education Officers. These individuals were selected from the 7 public
secondary schools in the four constituencies that make up Embakasi Sub
County. The intended demographic was anticipated to have served in their
assigned location for a minimum duration of one year, allowing ample time
for them to become acquainted with one another. The target population is
suitable for the study since it consists of 7 public secondary schools, each led
by a principal, inside Embakasi Sub-county. The total number of teachers in
this population is 210. There are a total of 14 officers employed at the sub-
county education office.
3.4 Sample Size and Sampling Procedures
3.4.1 Sample Size
Ravid (2019) defines a sample as a limited set of observations chosen from the
entire population. Sampling is crucial since it facilitates the examination of the
attributes of a larger group by investigating a smaller representative selection.
Mugenda and Mugenda (2003) suggest that a sample size ranging from 10% to
30% is appropriate for conducting a descriptive survey. A sample size of 76
was obtained by calculating 30% of the total number of teachers, resulting in a
sample size of 70 teachers. 30% of the total number of principals corresponds
to 2 principals, while 30% of the education officers corresponds to 4 education
officers.
3.4.2 Sampling Procedure
Sampling is the act of selecting representative elements to enable the
researcher to get information about the entire population. Teachers and
39
principals utilized the basic random sampling technique to select teachers.
This was a lottery procedure in which every individual in the population was
given a distinct number that was placed into a container. The researcher
selected a chit at random from the box in order to obtain a random sample.
This was done to ensure that each individual has an equitable chance of being
included in a sample that represents the entire population. The researchers
used purposive sampling technique to select education officers for this study.
This decision was based on the fact that only a small number of officers had
contributions that were relevant to the study.
Table 3. 1: Sample size
Study Target Sample % Sampling Data
population population size method collection
Principals 7 2 30 Simple random Questionnaire
sampling & Interview
Education 14 4 30 Purposive Interview
Officers sampling schedule.
Teachers 210 70 30 Simple random Questionnaire
sampling
technique
Total 231 76
3.5 Research Instruments
A research instrument is a specialized tool utilized to systematically gather
and compile data in order to address specific research inquiries. The primary
objective of the study was to ascertain the impact of principals' leadership
style on teachers' job satisfaction in public secondary schools in Embakasi
Sub-County, Nairobi. The researcher's primary focus was on gathering data
40
regarding individuals' perspectives, beliefs, understandings, and inclinations,
as well as any other information obtained through the administration of
questionnaires and interview schedules. Two questionnaires were employed in
this study, one for the principal and another for the teachers. The surveys
consisted of both closed and open-ended questions and were divided into three
pieces. Section one aimed to collect background information about the
respondents, while section two focused on inquiries regarding job satisfaction.
A structured interview protocol consisting of open-ended questions was
administered to the sub county director of education, curriculum support
officer, quality assurance and standards officer, and sub county teachers
service commission officer.
3.6 Pilot Study
A pilot study is a limited-scale investigation that assesses the practicality of a
research procedure (Hildebrand and Ott, 2011). The pilot study assessed the
efficacy of methodologies, interviews, and questionnaires to ensure that the
study is not impeded. The researcher employed a sampling technique that
involved utilizing 10% of the total population, as advised by Mugenda &
Mugenda (2003). The outcome was one principal, 21 teachers, and one
education officer.
3.7 Validity of Instruments
Ravid (2019) defines validity as the extent to which an instrument accurately
measures its intended construct and the suitability of the inferences and
interpretations derived from the test scores. In this study, the researcher made
41
sure that the instrument satisfies the requirements for assessing content
validity. Content validity refers to the extent to which instruments accurately
measure a representative sample of behaviors and content domains from which
inferences can be drawn, as described by Ravid (2019). In order to improve
the accuracy of the findings, the researcher conducted a preliminary
investigation, but did not include the entire population in the final research.
The purpose of the pilot study was to discover any items in the questionnaire
that were misunderstood and thereafter eliminate or alter them as necessary.
3.8 Reliability of Instruments
Reliability refers to the degree to which a measurement of a phenomenon
yields a consistent and stable outcome, as stated by Carmines and Zeller (as
referenced in Taherdoost, 2016). To evaluate the reliability of the research
instrument, a pilot study was conducted in two schools that were excluded
from the primary study. Selected teachers from all schools were administered
questionnaires. The measure of reliability is quantified by a correlation
coefficient. Orodho (2005) contends that the Pearson Product Moment
Correlation measures the degree to which the instrument consistently elicits
the same responses each time it is administered, hence indicating the
instrument's content consistency. In this study, the researcher utilized the
Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient Formula to calculate the
correlation coefficient (r) between the two sets of scores.
42
Mugenda and Mugenda (2003) said that a dependability coefficient of +0.70
or above is considered adequate.
3.9 Data Collection Procedure
Following the University of Nairobi's clearance, the researcher requested
license from the National Council for Science, Technology and Innovation
(NACOSTI) to carry out the study. Subsequently, the study permission was
utilized to acquire approval from the Regional Director of Education (RDE)
office and the County Commissioners Office. The researcher sought
authorization from the Sub County Director of Education (SCDE), Embakasi,
as well as the principals of the schools involved. Subsequently, a preliminary
visit was carried out to the schools involved in the study to introduce the
research and allocate time for the administration of the instruments.
Subsequently, the questionnaires were distributed to both the principal and
teachers on the same day. The researcher provided guidance on how to
complete the questionnaires and scheduled a time to collect them. The
researcher conducted in-person interviews with the Sub County Director of
Education (SCDE), TSC Sub County Director (TSCSCD), Sub County
Curriculum Support Officer (SCCSO), and Sub County Quality Assurance
Officer (SCQASO).
3.10 Data Analysis Techniques
Following the University of Nairobi's clearance, the researcher requested
license from the National Council for Science, Technology and Innovation
(NACOSTI) to carry out the study. Subsequently, the study permission was
43
utilized to acquire approval from the Regional Director of Education (RDE)
office and the County Commissioners Office. The researcher sought
authorization from the Sub County Director of Education (SCDE), Embakasi,
as well as the principals of the schools involved. Subsequently, a preliminary
visit was carried out to the schools involved in the study to introduce the
research and allocate time for the administration of the instruments.
Subsequently, the questionnaires were distributed to both the principal and
teachers on the same day. The researcher provided guidance on how to
complete the questionnaires and scheduled a time to collect them. The
researcher conducted in-person interviews with the Sub County Director of
Education (SCDE), TSC Sub County Director (TSCSCD), Sub County
Curriculum Support Officer (SCCSO), and Sub County Quality Assurance
Officer (SCQASO).
3.11 Ethical Considerations
The anonymity and secrecy of respondents were rigorously upheld to comply
with the principle of non-disclosure and prevent ascribing any perspective to
an individual. Prior to completing the questionnaires, the respondents were
gained informed and willing consent. The researcher took measures to
guarantee the impartiality and complete independence of the study process,
ensuring that the findings were not affected in any way to align with the
researcher's opinion. The researcher elucidated the significance of the
investigation and thereafter requested their participation by providing pertinent
information for the study. The research findings were securely stored in a
44
computer that required a password for access, with the intention of using them
solely for academic purposes.
Permission to carry out the study was requested from the University of
Nairobi's college of education. The researcher obtained approval from the
National Commission for Science, Technology and Innovation (NACOSTI),
the County Commissioner, and the Regional Director of Education.
Additionally, permission was sought from the Embakasi SCDE to carry out
the study in the specified region.
45
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA ANALYSIS, PRESENTATION AND INTERPRETATION OF
FINDINGS
4.1 Introduction
This chapter examined, deliberated, and showcased the findings of the study,
with the primary objective of determining how the leadership styles of
principals impact the job satisfaction of teachers at public secondary schools
in Embakasi Sub-County, Nairobi.
4.2 Response Rate and Demographic Information
This chapter examined, deliberated, and showcased the findings of the study,
with the primary objective of determining how the leadership styles of
principals impact the job satisfaction of teachers at public secondary schools
in Embakasi Sub-County, Nairobi.
Table 4. 1: Response Rate
Frequency Percent
Response 62 80.5
Non-response 15 19.5
Total 77 100.0
The study additionally collected data on the diverse demographics of the
participants. The demographics taken into account encompassed gender, age
46
range, greatest educational attainment, years of experience in teaching, and
level of responsibility held within the institution.
4.2.1 Respondents' Gender
The study aimed to determine the gender of the participants included in the
research. The participants were thereafter requested to specify their gender.
The objective was to determine the gender distribution of the participants in
the study. Their responses are displayed in Table 4.2.
Table 4. 2: Response Gender
Gender Frequency Percent
Female 37 59.4
Male 25 40.6
Total 62 100.0
The results indicated that the majority of the participants, specifically 37
individuals, were female, accounting for 59.4% of the total. The remaining 25
participants were male, representing 40.6%. This indicates that the researcher
included all the respondents, regardless of their gender, in order to gather
dependable and precise information regarding the subject being studied. The
findings also indicated that the majority of the respondents were female.
4.2.2 Respondents’ Age Bracket
The study additionally aimed to determine the age range of the respondents.
Consequently, the participants were asked to specify their age ranges. Their
discoveries were documented in Table 4.3.
47
Table 4. 3: Respondents’ Age Bracket
Age bracket Frequency Percent
20-30 years 9 14.3
31-40 years 23 37.7
41-50 years 19 31.2
51 years and above 10 16.9
Total 62 100.0
From the results, 37.7% of the respondents were aged between 31-40 years,
31.2% were aged between 41-50 years, 16.9% were 51 years and above and
14.3% were aged between 20-30 years. This implies that most of the
respondents who filled questionnaires were mature enough to give reliable
data on the subject matter.
4.2.3 Respondents’ Highest Academic Qualification
The study further sought to establish the highest level of education of the
respondents who had taken part in the study. Hence the respondents were
required in the questionnaire to indicate their highest level of education. This
was very important for the study as it implicated how the respondents would
respond to questions and how well they understood principals‘ leadership
styles. The responses were summarized in Table 4.4.
48
Table 4. 4: Respondents’ Highest Academic Qualification
Qualification Frequency Percent
Diploma 2 2.8
Bachelor‘s degree 46 74.5
Masters 14 22.7
Total 62 100.0
The findings reveal that most of the respondents as represented by 74.5% had
reached the Bachelor‘s Degree level, 22.7% had reached the Masters level,
while 2.7% had reached the Diploma level. This implies that the respondents
had enough basic education to comprehend and give reliable information
about the subject under study.
4.2.4 Responsibility Held in School
The respondents were required to indicate the responsibilities they hold in
school. This was done to ensure that all the respondents were involved in
school activities. The findings were presented on Table 4.5.
Table 4. 5: Responsibility Held in School
Responsibility Frequency Percent
Class teacher 22 35.5
Head of Department 13 21.0
Principal 7 11.3
Deputy Principal 9 14.5
Senior Master 11 17.7
Total 62 100.0
49
The findings showed that 35.5% of the respondents indicated that they were
class teachers, 21.0% were head of departments, 17.7% were senior masters,
and 14.5% were deputy principals while 11.3% were principals. This implied
all respondents held responsibilities in school and hence could give reliable
data regarding the subject matter.
4.2.5 Number of Years Involved in the Present School
The respondents were required to indicate the number of years involved in the
present school. This was done to show the experience that the respondents had
in the institutions. The responses were as shown in Table 4.6.
Table 4. 6: Number of Years Involved in the Present School
Frequency Percent
Below 2 years 12 19.5
2-5 years 23 36.6
6- 10years 27 43.9
Total 62 100.0
The findings revealed that 43.9% of the respondents have been in operation
for 6- 10 years in their present school, 36.6% indicated that they have been in
operation for 2-5 years and 19.5% indicated that they have been in operation
for below 2 years. This implies that majority of the respondents present school
had been involved in the present school for more than 5 years and hence could
understand and give reliable information being sought by the study.
50
4.3 Reliability Analysis
A pilot study was carried out to determine reliability of the questionnaires.
Reliability analysis was subsequently done using Cronbach‘s Alpha which
measures the internal consistency by establishing if certain items within a
scale measure the same construct. Table 4.7 displays the results.
Table 4. 7: Reliability Statistics
Items Cronbach's Decision
Alpha
Coaching leadership style employed by the .772 Reliable
principal
Affiliative leadership style employed by .809 Reliable
the principal
Participative leadership style employed by .849 Reliable
the principal
Pacesetting leadership style employed by .782 Reliable
the principal
Teachers‘ job satisfaction .763 Reliable
As shown in Table 4.7, participative leadership style employed by the
principal had an alpha value of 0.849, affiliative leadership style employed by
the principal had an alpha value of 0.809, pacesetting leadership style
employed by the principal had an alpha value of 0.782, coaching leadership
style employed by the principal had an alpha value of 0.772 while teachers‘
job satisfaction had an alpha value of 0.763. All alphas were above 0.70 and
51
therefore the factors were all reflective because their indicators were highly
correlated and are largely interchangeable.
4.4 Coaching Leadership Style and Teachers’ Job Satisfaction
The study sought to determine the extent to which coaching leadership style
employed by the principal influences teachers‘ job satisfaction in public
secondary schools in Embakasi Sub-County. The researcher required to know
the principal‘s leadership behavior with statements related to coaching
leadership style employed by the principal. The results were as displayed on
Table 4.8.
Table 4. 8: Principal’s Leadership Behavior with Statements Related to
Coaching Leadership Style.
Statement A O S R N Mean Std.
F% F% F% F% F% Dev.
He helps teachers plan 4.583 0.495
36 58.3 26 41.7 --- --- ---
for the future
Patient with the 4.479 0.525
subordinates and allows 30 49.1 31 49.7 1 1.2 --- ---
for growth
Rewards the staff 3.252 0.283
8 12.9 27 42.9 10 16.6 7 11.7 10 16.0
Is flexible and adjusts to 3.074 0.215
4 6.7 26 42.3 11 17.2 12 19.0 9 14.7
the needs of others
Organizes for the staff 3.160 0.138
2 3.1 32 51.5 10 16.6 10 16.0 8 12.9
workshops and seminars
Provides guidance when 4.577 0.496
36 57.7 26 42.3 --- --- ---
needed
Focuses on helping 4.589 0.494
others achieve their 37 58.9 25 41.1 --- --- ---
goals.
Is reflective and helps 3.055 0.218
others learn from their 2 3.7 30 47.9 10 16.6 9 14.1 11 17.8
mistakes.
Treats each and every 4.571 0.497
individual member 35 57.1 27 42.9 --- --- ---
differently
Emphasizes honesty and 2.930 0.879
helping others see the 1 1.8 29 47.2 10 16.0 8 13.5 13 21.5
truth
Total Mean= 3.827
Legend: A= Always, O= Often, S=Sometimes, R=Rarely, N=Never.
52
As per Table 4.8, 37(58.9%) of the respondents indicated that the principal
always focuses on helping others achieve their goals while 25(41.1%) of the
respondents indicated that the principal often focuses on helping others
achieve their goals. On the principal helping teachers plan for the future,
36(58.3%) of the respondents indicated that they always do while 26(41.7%)
indicated that they often do. On providing guidance when needed, 36(57.7%)
of the respondents indicated that the principals always did while 26(42.3%)
indicated that they often did. On treating each and every individual member
differently, 35(57.1%) of the respondents indicated that the principals always
while 27(42.9%) indicated that the principals often did. On being patient with
the subordinates and allowing for growth, 31(49.7%) of the respondents
indicated that the principals were often patient while 30(49.1%) indicated that
they were always patient.
Regarding rewarding the staff, 27(42.9%) of the respondents indicated that the
principals often did, 10(16.0%) indicated that the principals never while
10(16.6%) indicated that the principals sometimes did. On organizing for the
staff workshops and seminars, 32(51.5%) of the respondents indicated that the
principals often did the organizing, 10(16.0%) indicated rarely while 8(12.9%)
indicated that the principals never. On being flexible and adjusting to the
needs of others, 26(42.3%) indicated that the principals were often flexible
and adjusting, 12(19.0%) indicated rarely while 9(14.7%) indicated never.
Moreover, on being reflective and helping others learn from their mistakes,
30(47.9%) indicated the principals were often reflective and helped others
learn from their mistakes, 11(17.8%) indicated never while 10(16.6%)
53
indicated sometimes. Further, on emphasizing honesty and helping others see
the truth, 29(47.2%) indicated that the principals often emphasized honesty
and helped others see the truth, 13(21.5%) indicated never while 8(13.5%)
indicated rarely.
Table 4.8 further shows computed means of each item, the highest (mean
=4.589) for focusing on helping others achieve their goals. The results indicate
high response (mean=4.577) for providing guidance when needed. The
analysis also shows (mean=4.583) for helping teachers in planning for the
future. Further, the findings indicated (mean=4.571) for treating each and
every individual member differently. Conversely, the results show
(mean=2.930) for emphasizing honesty and helping others see the truth.
Consequently, the total cumulative mean scores (Mean= 3.827) could be
interpreted to imply that principals behaviours were more likely inclined to
coaching leadership styles.
4.4.1 Correlation Analysis for the Coaching Leadership Style and
Teachers’ Job Satisfaction
To test the correlation between coaching leadership style employed by the
principal and the teachers‘ job satisfaction, the study used Pearson‘s
correlation analysis. The findings are as shown in Table 4.9.
54
Table 4. 9: Correlation Matrix for Coaching Leadership Style and
Teachers’ Job Satisfaction
Teachers’
job
satisfaction
Teachers‘ job satisfaction Pearson Correlation 1
Sig. (2-tailed) .
N 62
Coaching leadership style employed by Pearson Correlation . 789
the principal
Sig. (2-tailed) .023
N 62
The study established that there is a positive relationship between teachers‘
job satisfaction in public secondary schools in Embakasi Sub-County and
coaching leadership style employed by the principal as shown by coefficient
of 0.789. Moreover, the p-value was 0.023<0.05 implying that the study
rejected the hypothesis that there is no significant relationship between
coaching leadership style employed by the principal and teachers‘ job
satisfaction in public secondary schools in Embakasi Sub-County.
4.4.2 Regression Analysis for Coaching Leadership Style and Teachers’
Job Satisfaction
The model summary in Table 4.10 provides an overview of the key statistics
and performance metrics of the regression model. It includes important
information about the model's goodness of fit, its ability to explain the
variance in the dependent variable, and the significance of the predictor
variables.
55
Table 4. 10: Model Summary for Coaching Leadership Style and
Teachers’ Job Satisfaction
Adjusted R
Model R R Square Square Std. Error
1 .789 .622 .616 .346
The findings in Table 4.10 shows that r=0.789. This indicates that coaching
leadership style employed by the principal has a very strong relationship with
teachers‘ job satisfaction in public secondary schools in Embakasi Sub-
County. In addition, R2 was 0.622 which indicated that coaching leadership
style employed by the principal explains 62.2 of the variations in the teachers‘
job satisfaction in public secondary schools in Embakasi Sub-County.
The ANOVA (Analysis of Variance) in Table 4.11 is a critical component in
statistical analysis, particularly in assessing the significance of the predictor
variables in a regression model. This table is instrumental in assessing the
overall model fit and the individual contributions of each predictor variable.
Table 4. 11: ANOVAa for Coaching Leadership Style and Teachers’ Job
Satisfaction
Sum of Mean
Model Squares df Square F Sig.
1 Regression 11.838 1 11.838 98.746 2.71E-14
Residual 7.193 60 0.120
Total 19.031 61
56
The overall F statistics, (F = 98.746, p=2.71E-14<0.05), indicated that there
was a very statistical significant relationship between coaching leadership
style employed by the principal and teachers‘ job satisfaction in public
secondary schools in Embakasi Sub-County. The null hypothesis was
therefore rejected and it was concluded that there is a significant relationship
between coaching leadership style employed by the principal and teachers‘ job
satisfaction in public secondary schools in Embakasi Sub-County.
Table 4.12 shows the regression coefficient that estimates coefficients of the
predictor variables in the regression model. These coefficients provide insights
into the strength and direction of the relationships between the predictors and
the dependent variable.
Table 4. 12: Regression Coefficientsa for Coaching Leadership and
Teachers’ Job Satisfaction
Unstandardized Standardized t Sig.
Coefficients Coefficients
Std.
Model B Error Beta
1 (Constant) 2.652 0.714 3.714 0.000
Coaching leadership 0.814 0.25 0.789 3.256 0.002
style employed by the
principal
The results on test of significance also indicate that coaching leadership style
employed by the principal (β=0.814, p=0.002) was significant at p<0.05 and
57
95 confidence level. Using the coefficients findings in Table 4.12, the
regression model can be substituted as follows:
Y= 2.652 + 0.814X1
Where;
Y = Teachers‘ job satisfaction in public secondary schools in
Embakasi Sub-County
X1= Coaching leadership style employed by the principal
From the interviews, the interviewees were asked to indicate how they
believed in principals capacity-building their members of staff. Majority of
them indicated that when members of staff are empowered, then work is done
in a more professional manner and from time to time members are able to
coordinate among themselves and relevant departments with or without the
immediate supervisors around. They added that capacity building makes the
principals‘ work easier since he/she will stick to the mission and vision of the
school. Capacity building also helps to address short falls & short comings.
The interviewees indicated that constant retooling enables them acquire new
skills to cope with ever changing job worked. Interviewee P3 stated,
Members of staff need to be built because the principal is also a
teacher and he should give room for teachers to take up more
challenging tasks like himself/herself. Also when teachers are
capacity-built, they can also challenge the principal on best teaching
methods and outcomes.
Interviewee P4 said,
Because teacher need to be updated now and again since the world is
evolving and new education systems such as the CBC is too
58
demanding. Capacity building helps the learner to get informed about
the emerging issues which do affect leaners negatively.
The interviews also sought the opinions of interviewees on if the principal
should treat members of staff differently. Majority of the interviewees
indicated that the principals do not treat the members of staff differently since
all of them contribute to the wellbeing and achievement of the institutions
goals in one way or another. Another indicated that teamwork demand that all
members are treated the same and that different treatment would negate
teamwork and hamper institutional growth. Others indicated that leaders on
holds can be given special attention or facilities because of the nature of their
roles which may be more demanding than others but they should not be treated
differently, and he or she is a symbol of unity, also supposed to be a role
model and it will be against the T.S.C code of regulations for teachers. An
interviewee however indicated that some principals treat the members of staff
differently. Interviewee P1 indicated,
Yes, because all members have their own unique characteristics and
treating these personalities using same leadership approaches may
prove to be counter-productive.
The interviewers sought why principals should assist the teachers in achieving
their goals. The interviewees indicated that a teacher‘s achievement is a
schools achievement, when goals are achieved, credit is heaped on the leader
even before the other members of staff are acknowledged. The concept of
collegiality dictates that members of staff work in a complimentary manner for
the general good of the institution. They also indicated that the principals
59
should assist the teachers because when all members of staff achieve their
goals the school will benefit from their unique contribution, to enhance
performance since some teachers score below expectations and if they are not
assisted then they will not meet expectations and ultimately the entire school
will be failing, and so that they can grow in their career. Interviewee P2 said,
Principals themselves are teachers. Teachers are future principal.
Teachers should be assisted to achieve their goals because they are
future leader. The achievement of the teachers will be seen as the
achievement of the principal.
The interviews required the interviewees to give their views on how the
coaching leadership style influenced the teacher job satisfaction. They
indicated that it promotes close contact between the principal and the
individual teachers and in this way, teachers take corrections positively having
in mind the fact that the principal is working for the general good of the
school. Also, when the principal leads as a coach, he becomes flexible to
teachers and because of his patience, teachers will find working in a free
atmosphere enjoyable. The interviewees indicated that coaching leadership
style is objective as it allows room for the application of SWOT Analysis.
Teachers are able to understand their strength, weakness, opportunities and
threats without a feeling of victimization. Moreover, coaching enables each
member exploit their full potential and it will make them feel that they are part
and parcel of the institution. It will also make them work with minimum
supervision, it is also a way of motivating. Interviewer P3 stated,
This style is very important in helping newly employed teachers to get
at per with the rest of the staff. When they are coached on the best
60
methodology of teaching, they become more comfortable and satisfied
instead of being confused.
4.4.3 Discussion for Coaching Leadership Style and Teachers’ Job
Satisfaction
The study revealed that the principal consistently prioritizes assisting others in
attaining their objectives, aids teachers in strategizing for the future, offers
direction as necessary, and treats each individual member distinctively. The
study also found that the principal frequently demonstrates patience towards
subordinates and fosters their professional development. The findings support
the perspective of Dai (2019) that coaching leadership style fosters innovative
behavior and job motivation among employees. Coaching aims to maximize
the potential of individuals in order to attain both personal and organizational
objectives (Karlsen & Berg, 2020).
The survey furthermore revealed that the principal occasionally incentivizes
the staff, arranges workshops and seminars for them, demonstrates
adaptability by accommodating the demands of others, engages in self-
reflection and facilitates learning from mistakes, and places a strong emphasis
on honesty and assisting others in perceiving the truth. The findings
contradicted Berg's (2016) assertion that coaching leadership style is a long-
term focused method aimed at fostering employee growth and fostering strong
and consistent interactions within a group. Moreover, the implementation of a
coaching method has a favorable impact on fostering a coaching culture,
which in turn promotes employee well-being and happiness (Jarosz, 2021).
61
4.5 Affiliative Leadership Style and Teachers’ Job Satisfaction
The research aimed to determine how affiliative leadership style employed by
the principal influences teachers‘ job satisfaction in public secondary schools
in Embakasi Sub-County. The respondents were required to indicate the
principal‘s leadership behavior with statements related to affiliative leadership
style employed by the principal. The responses were as presented on Table
4.13.
Table 4. 13: Principal’s Leadership Behavior with Statements Related to
Affiliative Leadership Style
Statement A O S R N Mean Std.
F% F% F% F% F% Dev.
Regards teachers as 36 26 4.583 0.495
--- --- ---
most important 58.3 41.7
Gives members 3.712 0.115
43 17
positive feedback 2 2.5 1 0.6 1 0.6
68.7 27.6
frequently
Strives to know the 28 12 2.976 0.116
--- 12 20.2 9 14.7
feelings of my staff 46.0 20.2
Allows teachers to go 3.055 0.223
30 10 11
about their roles 2 3.7 9 14.1
47.9 16.6 17.8
uninterrupted
Schedules the work to 15 38 2.215 0.713
1 1.8 4 6.1 3 5.5
be done 24.5 62.0
Gives advance notice 41 10 4.337 0.728
3 5.5 5 7.4 3 4.3
of changes. 66.9 16.0
Permits members to 4.233 0.813
31 23
use their own 3 4.9 2 3.1 3 4.9
49.7 37.4
judgement
Encourages equality 3.902 0.920
33
among teachers and 9 14.1 6 9.8 8 12.3 6 9.8
54.0
cadres
Allows flexible 3.982 0.942
37
timelines for 6 10.4 6 10.4 5 8.0 7 11.7
59.5
completing tasks
Communicates 29 3.651 0.826
8 13.5 9 14.7 7 11.0 9 14.7
empathetically 46.0
Total cumulative Mean= 3.665
Legend: A= Always, O= Often, S=Sometimes, R=Rarely, N=Never.
62
As per Table 4.13, 36(58.3%) of the respondents indicated that the principals
always regards teachers as most important while 26(41.7%) indicated often.
Moreover, on giving advance notice of changes, 41(66.9%) of the respondents
indicated that the principals always gave advance notice of changes, while
10(16.0%) indicated sometimes. Further, 31(49.7%) of the respondents
indicated that the principals always permits members to use their own
judgment while 23(37.4%) indicated often. Also, on allowing flexible
timelines for completing tasks, 37(59.5%) of the respondents indicated that the
principals always allowed flexible timelines for completing tasks, 6(10.4%)
indicated often while 7(11.7%) indicated never.
On encouraging equality among teachers and cadres, 33(54.0%) of the
respondents indicated that principals always encouraged equality among
teachers and cadres, 9(14.1%) indicated often, while 8(12.3%) indicated
rarely. On giving members positive feedback frequently, 43(68.7%) of the
respondents indicated that principals often gave members positive feedback
while 17(27.6%) indicated sometimes. Moreover, the respondents 29(46.0%)
indicated that the principals always communicated with empathy, 9(14.7%)
indicated sometimes while 9(14.7%) indicated never.
Further, on allowing teachers to go about their roles uninterrupted, 30(47.9%)
of the respondents indicated that the principals often allowed teachers to go
about their roles uninterrupted, 11(17.8%) indicated never, while 10(16.6%)
indicated sometimes. On striving to know the feelings of my staff, 29(46.0%)
of the respondents indicated that the principals often strives to know the
63
feelings of their staff, 12(20.2%) indicated sometimes while 12(20.2%)
indicated rarely. Moreover, the respondents 38(62.0%) indicated that the
principals never scheduled the work to be done, while 15(24.5%) indicated
always.
Table 4.13 further shows calculated means of each item, the highest (mean
=4.583) for teachers regarded as most important in a school setting. The
results also indicate high response (mean=4.337) for giving prior notice of
changes. The inquiry also indicate (mean=4.233) for permission given to
teachers to use their own judgment. Additionally, the outcomes showed
(mean=3.982) for flexible timelines to complete tasks. On the contrary, the
results show (mean=2.215) for principal scheduling work to be done and
(mean= 2.976) for seeking to know the feelings of the teachers. Thus, the total
cumulative (Mean= 3.665) could be interpreted to imply that principals
portrayed some level of affiliative leadership style.
As per the interviews, the interviewees were asked whether the principals
should regard teachers as the most important factor in learning within the
school. They indicated that teachers are able to instill discipline without which
leaning would be impossible. Again, the principal is not present in every class
and room so it is the teachers who are ever there is guide learning. The
Interviewer P1 said,
Teachers are just part of the actors in a learning institution and
therefore cannot be regarded as the most important. They are only
most important as far as curriculum delivery is concerned. Having
said that, learners do not only learn from the teachers but also through
64
discovery, from peers, from the surrounding community and so on.
Other stakeholders like learners, the board of management, the
parents and the government officers are also important.
The interviewees were also asked to indicate their agreement with whether it is
necessary for the principal to know the feelings of their teachers. They
indicated that teachers have different temperaments and not all of them are
emotionally same. Knowing their feelings is important as it will help the
principal to understand how to communicate to them and handle them without
being offensive. They also indicated that unless the room is express feelings is
allowed, teachers will be withdrawn and the principal will think teachers are
fighting him/her.
The interviewees were also asked to indicate whether it is necessary to
promote equality across various cadres of teachers within the school. They
indicated that equality goes hard with responsibility whereas the Deputy
Principal or HOD is not equal to the assistant teacher, they need fair treatment
with respect is their responsibility. e.g. distribution of subjects can‘t be equal
but is done based on the designation. Interviewer P4 noted,
Various cadres should be treated equitably but not equally. This is
because there are certain privileges, for instance, that can only be
accessed by virtue of the responsibility or office that a teacher holds. A
boarding master or deputy principal can secure accommodation within
the school courtesy of their responsibility before others.
The interviewees were asked to give their own views on how affiliative
leadership style influenced teacher job satisfaction. They indicated that new
teachers in the career may find difficulty in expressing feelings and setting
65
down. The principal can implement TIMEC (teacher induction, mentorship
and coaching) program to help mentor teachers at work and help them take
off. Interviewer P2 said,
Since this leadership style opens room for much interaction, the
teachers end up enjoying work with little or almost no supervision at
the expense of performance. Teachers will also feel very important and
love work due to constant appreciation from the principal.
4.5.1 Correlation Analysis for the Affiliative Leadership Style and
Teachers’ Job Satisfaction
To test the correlation between affiliative leadership style employed by the
principal and the teachers‘ job satisfaction in public secondary schools in
Embakasi Sub-County, the study used Pearson‘s correlation analysis. The
findings are as shown in Table 4.14.
Table 4. 14: Correlation Matrix for the Affiliative Leadership Style and
Teachers’ Job Satisfaction
Teachers’
job
satisfaction
Teachers‘ job satisfaction Pearson Correlation 1
Sig. (2-tailed) .
N 62
Affiliative leadership style Pearson Correlation .743
employed by the principal Sig. (2-tailed) .027
N 62
The study revealed that there is a positive relationship between teachers‘ job
satisfaction in public secondary schools in Embakasi Sub-County and
66
affiliative leadership style employed by the principal as shown by coefficient
of 0.743. Moreover, the p-value was 0.027<0.05 implying that the study
rejected the hypothesis that there is no significant relationship between
affiliative leadership style employed by the principal and the teachers‘ job
satisfaction in public secondary schools in Embakasi Sub-County.
4.5.2 Regression Analysis for the Affiliative Leadership Style and
Teachers’ Job Satisfaction
The model summary in Table 4.15 provides an overview of the key statistics
and performance metrics of the regression model to test the relationship
between affiliative leadership style employed by the principal and teachers‘
job satisfaction in public secondary schools in Embakasi Sub-County. It
includes important information about the model's goodness of fit, its ability to
explain the variance in the dependent variable, and the significance of the
predictor variables.
Table 4. 15: Model Summary for the Affiliative Leadership Style and
Teachers’ Job Satisfaction
Adjusted R
Model R R Square Square Std. Error
1 0.743 0.551 0.544 0.377
The findings in Table 4.15 revealed that r=0.743. This indicated that affiliative
leadership style employed by the principal has a very strong relationship with
teachers‘ job satisfaction in public secondary schools in Embakasi Sub-
67
County. In addition, R2 was 0.551 which indicated that affiliative leadership
style employed by the principal explains 55.1 of the variations in the teachers‘
job satisfaction in public secondary schools in Embakasi Sub-County.
The ANOVA (Analysis of Variance) in Table 4.16 is a critical component in
statistical analysis, particularly in assessing the significance of the predictor
variables in a regression model. This table is instrumental in assessing the
overall model fit and the individual contributions of each predictor variable.
Table 4. 16: ANOVAa for the Affiliative Leadership Style and Teachers’
Job Satisfaction
ANOVAa
Mean
Model Sum of Squares df Square F Sig.
1 Regression 10.496 1 10.496 73.777 4.87E-12
Residual 8.536 60 0.142
Total 19.032 61
The overall F statistics, (F = 73.777, p=4.87E-12<0.05), indicated that there
was a very statistical significant relationship between affiliative leadership
style employed by the principal and teachers‘ job satisfaction in public
secondary schools in Embakasi Sub-County. The null hypothesis was hence
rejected and it was concluded that there is a significant relationship between
affiliative leadership style employed by the principal and teachers‘ job
satisfaction in public secondary schools in Embakasi Sub-County.
Table 4.17 shows the regression coefficient that estimates coefficients of the
predictor variables in the regression model. These coefficients provide insights
68
into the strength and direction of the relationships between the predictors and
the dependent variable.
Table 4. 17: Regression Coefficientsa for the Affiliative Leadership Style
and Teachers’ Job Satisfaction
Unstandardized Standardized t Sig.
Coefficients Coefficients
Std.
Model B Error Beta
1 (Constant) 2.435 0.799 3.048 0.003
Affiliative leadership 0.843 0.295 0.743 2.858 0.005
style employed by
the principal
The results indicate that affiliative leadership style employed by the principal
(β=0.843, p=0.005) was significant at p<0.05 and 95 confidence level. Using
the statistical findings in Table 4.17, the regression model can be substituted
as follows:
Y= 2.435 + 0.843X2
Where;
Y = Teachers‘ job satisfaction in public secondary schools in
Embakasi Sub-County
X2= Affiliative leadership style employed by the principal
69
4.5.3 Discussion for Affiliative Leadership Style and Teachers’ Job
Satisfaction
The study found that the principal always regards teachers as most important.
The study also found that the principal often gives advance notice of changes,
permits members to use their own judgement, allows flexible timelines for
completing tasks, encourages equality among teachers and cadres, gives
members positive feedback frequently and communicates empathetically. The
results concur with Goleman (2000) who states that an affiliative leader
believes in people and improves their capacity upon the belief that people
come first and adds that this leadership style can help boost the morale
especially when employed by the principal in a school during difficult times
when employees could be experiencing low levels of job satisfaction.
The research further found that the principal sometimes allows teachers to go
about their roles uninterrupted, and strives to know the feelings of their staff.
Moreover, the research found that the principal rarely schedules the work to be
done. Henderson (2015) differ that principals using this style not only impact
the school environment but also the community and other stakeholders. This
style can however have a negative impact in schools due to focus on praise
which may lead to mediocrity and uncorrected poor performance (Goleman,
2000). He adds that the principal may focus on good relations at the expense
of constructive feedback if they use this leadership style. Teachers may also
feel uncertain about how to do better for lack of feedback.
70
4.6 Participative Leadership Style and Teachers’ Job Satisfaction
The study sought to establish how participative leadership style employed by
the principal influences the teachers‘ job satisfaction in public secondary
schools in Embakasi Sub-County. The respondents were asked to indicate
their principal‘s leadership behavior with statements related to participative
leadership style employed by the principal on a five point scale whereby 5
represents Always, 4 = Often, 3 = Sometimes, 2 = Rarely and 1 = Never.
Table 4.18 displays their responses.
Table 4. 18: Principal’s Leadership Behavior and Participative
Leadership Style
Statement A O S R N Mean Std.
F% F% F% F% F% Dev.
Friendly and easy to 31 50.3 6 9.8 12 19.0 6 9.8 7 11.0 3.785 0.930
dialogue with
Expresses confidence 32 52.1 1 1.8 26 42.3 1 1.8 1 1.8 4.006 0.591
in staff despite
disagreements
Is accommodative of 41 65.6 4 6.1 6 9.8 5 8.6 6 9.8 4.092 0.909
other teachers‘
opinions
Encourages staff to 43 69.9 4 6.1 4 6.1 7 11.7 4 6.1 4.221 0.819
expressly give their
opinions
Shows understanding 2 2.5 43 68.7 17 27.6 1 0.6 1 0.6 3.718 0.550
towards staff despite
holding divergent
opinions with them
Genuinely shares 1 1.2 30 49.1 13 20.9 10 16.0 8 12.9 3.098 0.601
information with staff
members
Clarifies roles to staff 27 44.2 24 38.7 2 3.7 4 6.1 5 7.4 4.061 0.680
members
Ensures equal chance 35 55.8 27 44.2 --- --- --- 4.558 0.998
of members
spearheading tasks
Encourages teamwork 34 55.2 28 44.8 --- --- --- 4.552 0.999
among teachers
Reaches out to 1 1.2 27 42.9 12 19.0 10 16.0 13 20.9 2.791 0.512
introverted teachers to
speak out
Total cumulative (Mean= 3.888)
Legend: A= Always, O= Often, S=Sometimes, R=Rarely, N=Never.
71
As per Table 4.18, 35(55.8%) of the respondents indicated that the principals
always ensured equal chance of members spearheading tasks while 27(44.2%)
indicated often. On encouraging teamwork among teachers, 34(55.2%) of the
respondents indicated that the principals always encouraged teamwork among
teachers, while 28(44.8%) indicated often. Further, on encouraging staff to
expressly give their opinions, 43(69.9%) of the respondents indicated that the
principals always encouraged staff to expressly give their opinions, and
7(11.7%) indicated rarely. On being accommodative of other teachers‘
opinions, 41(65.6%) of the respondents indicated that the principals were
always accommodative of other teachers‘ opinions, 6(9.8%) indicated
sometimes, and 6(9.8%) indicated never.
On clarifying roles to staff members, 27(44.2%) of the respondents indicated
that the principals always clarified roles to staff members, and 24(38.7%)
indicated often. Further, on expressing confidence in staff despite
disagreements, 32(52.1%) indicated that the principals always expressed
confidence in staff despite disagreements and 26(42.3%) indicated sometimes.
On being friendly and easy to dialogue, 31(50.3%) of the respondents
indicated that the principals were always friendly and easy to dialogue,
12(19.0%) indicated sometimes while 7(11.0%) indicated never. On showing
understanding towards staff despite holding divergent opinions, 43(68.7%) of
the respondents indicated that the principals often showed understanding
towards staff despite holding divergent opinions, and 17(27.6%) indicated
sometimes. Further, on genuinely sharing information with staff members,
30(49.1%) of the respondents indicated that the principals often genuinely
72
shared information with staff members, 13(20.9%) indicated sometimes, and
10(16.0%) indicated rarely. Moreover, 27(42.9%) of the respondents indicated
that the principals often reached out to introverted teachers to speak out,
13(20.9%) indicated never, while 12(19.0%) indicated sometimes.
Table 4.18 further shows computed means of each item, the highest (mean
=4.558) for ensuring equal chances of members spearheading tasks. The
results also indicate high response (mean=4.552) for encouraging teamwork.
The analysis also indicate (mean=4.221) for giving opinions freely. Moreover,
the outcomes showed (mean=4.092) for accommodating opinions. On the
contrary, the results show (mean=2.791) for principal reaching out to
introverted teachers. Thus, the total cumulative (Mean= 3.888) could be
interpreted to imply that principals used participative leadership style often.
From the interviews, the interviewees were asked to indicate when the
principal should promote participative leadership style in schools. They stated
that when delegating or re-assigning role and responsibilities, when he needs
assignments to be done with clarity and to avoid instance when failure would
repent as a result of ―one-man-show‖ leadership in the past. Moreover, they
indicated that when introducing new programs and projects, it helps the
principal get regular feedback from teachers, leaners and even parents hence a
more satisfied school, and it is the way of preparing teachers for leadership.
Interviewer P2 noted,
The principal can promote this style in a cosmopolitan area like
Nairobi in order to promote a sense of inclusivity, to give chance to
every teacher to exploit their potential. Again, when he realizes that a
section of the teachers are introverted, he can promote this style to
help them open up.
73
The interviewees were also asked whether each member of staff should be
given a chance to spearhead tasks. They indicated that it is only possible to
know teachers abilities when they are given a chance, sometimes credentials
may give false impression of teachers only to be disproved only when they are
assigned a task. They also indicated that people should be tested because each
one has skills and talent e.g. a poor communicator is only known when they
are assigned a role to speak in public, and it‘s only possible to understand the
capability of teachers by assigning the tasks. Otherwise, the principal may
judge members wrongly without testing them. They also indicated that it is
because each member is gifted differently and is also a way of promoting
teamwork.
The interviewees were asked to indicate if schools should create an
atmosphere for introverted teachers to speak out. They indicated that an open
atmosphere ensures that every teacher, vocal and otherwise is accommodated,
it promotes a sense of belonging among all teachers, and for them to fee part
and part of the school system, as a way of coaching then and as a way of
affiliating them into the school system.
The interviewees were asked their views on how participative leadership style
influences teacher job satisfaction. They indicated that this leadership style
motivates teachers since they know that all their opinions count regardless of
whether it will be applied or not and encourages members to work as a team.
They also indicated that participating leads to innovation because teachers
fond themselves accomplishing or attempting tasks they never knew they
74
would attempt, through participation, teachers get is acknowledge that there is
no job without a challenge, it enhances employees‘ self-efficiency and
psychological security, this leadership style gives room for free interaction and
teachers find it easy to freely choose who to lead them in various tasks without
a feeling of discrimination or favoritism, and it will enable and make them
speak out their minds, comment and state out their challenges and give out
their ideas on leadership of the school.
4.6.1 Correlation Analysis for Participative Leadership Style and
Teachers’ Job Satisfaction
To test the correlation between participative leadership style employed by the
principal and the teachers‘ job satisfaction in public secondary schools in
Embakasi Sub-County, the study used Pearson‘s correlation analysis. The
findings are as shown in Table 4.19.
Table 4. 19: Correlation Matrix for the Participative Leadership Style
and Teachers’ Job Satisfaction
Teachers’
job
satisfaction
Teachers‘ job satisfaction Pearson Correlation 1
Sig. (2-tailed) .
N 62
Participative leadership style employed Pearson Correlation .603
by the principal Sig. (2-tailed) .028
N 62
The study there is a positive relationship between teachers‘ job satisfaction in
public secondary schools in Embakasi Sub-County and participative
75
leadership style employed by the principal as expressed by coefficient of
0.603. Moreover, the p-value was 0.028<0.05 implying that the study rejected
the hypothesis that there is no significant relationship between participative
leadership style employed by the principal and the teachers‘ job satisfaction in
public secondary schools in Embakasi Sub-County.
4.6.2 Regression Analysis for the Participative Leadership and Teachers’
Job Satisfaction
The model summary in Table 4.20 provides an overview of the key statistics
and performance metrics of the regression model to test the relationship
between participative leadership style employed by the principal and teachers‘
job satisfaction in public secondary schools in Embakasi Sub-County.
Table 4. 20: Model Summary for the Participative Leadership Style and
Teachers’ Job Satisfaction
Adjusted R
Model R R Square Square Std. Error
1 0.603 0.363 0.323 1.075
The findings in Table 4.20 shows that r=0.603. This indicated that
participative leadership style employed by the principal has a positive
relationship with teachers‘ job satisfaction in public secondary schools in
Embakasi Sub-County. In addition, R2 was 0.363 which indicated that
participative leadership style employed by the principal explains 36.3 of the
variations in the teachers‘ job satisfaction in public secondary schools in
Embakasi Sub-County.
76
The ANOVA in Table 4.21 is a critical component in statistical analysis,
particularly in assessing the significance of the predictor variables in a
regression model. This table is instrumental in assessing the overall model fit
and the individual contributions of each predictor variable.
Table 4. 21: ANOVAa for the Participative Leadership Style and
Teachers’ Job Satisfaction
Sum of Mean
Model Squares df Square F Sig.
1 Regression 10.542 1 10.542 34.211 2.19E-07
Residual 18.489 60 0.308
Total 29.031 61
The overall F statistics, (F=34.211, p=2.19E-07<0.05), indicated that there
was a very statistical significant relationship between participative leadership
style employed by the principal and teachers‘ job satisfaction in public
secondary schools in Embakasi Sub-County. The null hypothesis was hence
rejected and it was concluded that there is a significant relationship between
participative leadership style employed by the principal and teachers‘ job
satisfaction in public secondary schools in Embakasi Sub-County.
Table 4.22 shows the regression coefficient that estimates coefficients of the
predictor variables in the regression model. These coefficients provide insights
into the strength and direction of the relationships between the predictors and
the dependent variable.
77
Table 4. 22: Regression Coefficientsa for the Participative Leadership
Style and Teachers’ Job Satisfaction
Unstandardized Standardized t Sig.
Coefficients Coefficients
Model B Std. Error Beta
1 (Constant) 2.604 1.162 2.241 0.028
Participative 0.7 0.238 0.603 2.941 0.004
leadership style
employed by the
principal
The results on test of significance also indicate that participative leadership
style employed by the principal (β=0.700, p=0.004) was significant at p<0.05
and 95 confidence level. Using the statistical findings in Table 4.22, the
regression model can be substituted as follows:
Y= 2.604 + 0.700X3
Where;
Y = Teachers‘ job satisfaction in public secondary schools in
Embakasi Sub-County
X3 = Participative leadership style employed by the principal.
4.6.3 Discussion for Participative Leadership Style and Teachers’ Job
Satisfaction
The research discovered that the principle consistently guarantees an equitable
opportunity for all members to take the lead in assignments and fosters a
78
culture of collaboration among teachers. The study additionally revealed that
the principal frequently fosters an environment where staff members are
encouraged to openly express their opinions. The principal is also receptive to
the viewpoints of other teachers, provides clear guidance on staff roles,
demonstrates confidence in the staff even in the face of disagreements,
maintains a friendly and approachable demeanor for dialogue, and displays
understanding towards staff members despite holding differing opinions.
These findings align with Goleman's (2000) explanation that a democratic
leader establishes consensus by involving others in the decision-making
process. The leader promotes active involvement in the decision-making
process, either through formal channels like as feedback or informally through
interactions (Bashir & Khalil, 2017).
The study revealed that the principal occasionally authentically disseminates
information to staff members and proactively engages introverted teachers to
express their thoughts. The findings contradict Amedome's (2018) assertion
that this leadership style has beneficial impacts on school atmosphere and
teacher job satisfaction. According to him, this strategy is highly beneficial
when the principal is uncertain about the optimal course of action, as it enables
instructors to provide innovative and unrestricted suggestions. Goleman
(2000) contends that by employing this approach, principals may cultivate
adaptability, accountability, and innovation by granting teachers autonomy in
the decision-making process. In contrast, he argues that if left uncontrolled,
this approach might result in stagnation caused by never-ending deliberations
that bewilder teachers.
79
4.7 Pacesetting Leadership Style and Teachers’ Job Satisfaction
The study sought to examine how pacesetting leadership style employed by
the principal influences teachers‘ job satisfaction in public secondary schools
in Embakasi Sub-County. The respondents were asked to indicate their
principal‘s leadership behavior with statements related to pacesetting
leadership style employed by the principal. The results were as shown in Table
4.23.
Table 4. 23: Principal’s Leadership Behavior with Statements Related to
Pacesetting Leadership Style
Statement A O S R N Mean Std.
F% F% F% F% F% Dev.
Demands instant results 19 30.1 18 28.8 10 16.0 9 14.1 7 11.0 3.528 0.844
from assigned tasks
Encourage self-motivation 38 61.3 24 38.7 --- --- --- 4.614 0.988
among members of staff
Makes decisions for 33 52.8 29 46.0 1 1.2 --- - -- 4.515 0.525
teachers
Utilizes the abilities of 1 1.8 29 47.2 10 16.0 8 13.5 13 21.5 2.945 0.744
every teacher to the
maximum
Compels teachers to meet --- 30 47.9 11 17.8 11 17.2 11 17.2 2.963 0.659
the set targets
Keeps revising targets to be 57 91.4 2 3.1 1 1.8 1 0.6 2 3.1 4.791 0.814
met by teachers
Leads by example 21 33.7 23 36.8 8 12.9 5 8.0 5 8.6 3.791 0.735
Gives strict deadlines of 27 44.2 16 25.2 6 10.4 6 10.4 6 9.8 3.834 0.853
task completion
Communicates regularly 35 55.8 27 42.9 1 1.2 --- --- 4.546 0.524
Only uses skilled teachers 44 71.5 16 26.2 1 2.3 --- --- 4.663 0.902
for specific tasks
Total cumulative (Mean= 4.019)
Legend: A= Always, O= Often, S=Sometimes, R=Rarely, N=Never.
According to Table 4.23, 57(91.4%) of the respondents indicated that the
principals always kept revising targets to be met by teachers. On only using
skilled teachers for specific tasks, 44(71.5%) of the respondents indicated that
the principals always used skilled teachers for specific tasks, and 16(26.2%)
indicated often. On encouraging self-motivation among members of staff,
80
38(61.3%) of the respondents indicated that the principals always encouraged
self-motivation among members of staff, and 24(38.7%) indicated often. On
communicating regularly, 35(55.8%) of the respondents indicated that the
principals always communicated regularly, and 2(42.9%) indicated often. On
making decisions for teachers, 33(52.8%) of the respondents indicated that the
principals always made decisions for teachers, and 29(46.0%) indicated often.
Further, on giving strict deadlines of task completion, 27(44.2%) of the
respondents indicated that the principals always gave strict deadlines of task
completion, 16(25.2%) indicated often, 6(10.4%) indicated sometimes, and
6(10.4%) indicated rarely. On leading by example, 23(36.8%) of the
respondents indicated that the principals often lead by example, 21(33.7%)
indicated always, and 8(12.9%) indicated sometimes. On demanding instant
results from assigned tasks, 19(30.1%) of the respondents indicated that the
principals always demanded instant results from assigned tasks, 18(28.8%)
indicated often, and 10(16.0%) indicated sometimes. Further, on compelling
teachers to meet the set targets, 30(47.9%) of the respondents indicated that
the principals often compelled teachers to meet the set targets, and 11(17.8%)
indicated sometimes. On utilizing the abilities of every teacher to the
maximum, 29(47.2%) of the respondents indicated that the principals often
utilized the abilities of every teacher to the maximum, 13(21.5%) indicated
never, and 10(16.0%) indicated sometimes. Table 4.23 further shows
computed means of each item, the highest (mean =4.791) for continuous
revision of targets. The results also indicate high response (mean=4.663) for
restricted use of skilled teachers for certain tasks. The study also indicate
81
(mean=4.614) for encouraging self-motivation among staff. On the contrary,
the results show (mean=2.945) for maximizing the utilization of teachers
ability and (mean=2.963) for compelling teachers to meet set targets. Thus, the
total cumulative (Mean= 4.019) could be interpreted to imply that principals
extensively (often) applied pace-setting leadership style
The interviewees were asked to indicate how much time principals give should
their teachers to realize results in their given assignments. They indicated that
the amount of time allowed for accomplishment should be dependent on
factors such as nature of responsibility, scope of the task, the other tasks done
by same officer etc., and the principal should always give realistic deadlines
for teachers to work with or else they will not give impressive result.
Interviewer P4 said,
If the target is SMART, then the principal needs to be realistic so that
the target is achieved. Time allowed should also depend on the nature
of assignment and resources availed e.g. an assignment that is not
supported with resources cannot be done in time.
As per the interviews, the interviewees were asked to indicate when principals
should make decisions for teachers. They indicated that when regulations have
been pronounced by the government, when the buck stops with the head of
school, and when disseminating sensitive information that only the principal is
allowed to handle. Moreover, they indicated that the principal should avoid
making decision for teachers since they will feel he is employing dictatorship
and they may end up rebelling, when a teacher has failed to perform his/her
82
duties as per the T.S.C code of regulations, and when a teacher has failed to
report to school for more than a week. Interviewer P1 indicated,
Matters touching on government policy which may be in form of
directives or circulars, acts of parliament require implementation as
they are pronounced hence the principal may implement without
consulting teachers. As the lead educator and supervisor, the principal
may also make decisions regarding placement of teachers, inductions,
trainings and workshops based on his know-how and experience which
teachers may not have. In addition, when he has no time to consult he
ends up deciding for the teachers.
The interviews sought whether the deadlines set by the principals for teachers
should be strict or flexible. The interviewers indicated that this is based on the
urgency of the assignment, nature of assignment, available time, and whether
deadlines can be strict or flexible. The interviewees were asked to give their
views on how pace-setting leadership style influences teacher job satisfaction.
They indicated that in this style, only skilled teachers are acknowledged and
this demotivates most of the teachers who don‘t meet targets. Also, teachers
detest being compelled to produce instant results for goals not set by
themselves. Others indicated that it is one way in which people will go an
extra-mile to exploit their potential, e.g. the best teacher will still work hard
because of a pacesetter.
4.7.1 Correlation Analysis for the Pacesetting Leadership Style and
Teachers’ Job Satisfaction
To test the correlation between pacesetting leadership style employed by the
principal has a positive effect on the teachers‘ job satisfaction in public
83
secondary schools in Embakasi Sub-County. The findings are as shown in
Table 4.24.
Table 4. 24: Correlation Matrix for the Pacesetting Leadership Style and
Teachers’ Job Satisfaction
Teachers’
job
satisfaction
Teachers‘ job satisfaction Pearson Correlation 1
Sig. (2-tailed) .
N 62
Pacesetting leadership style employed Pearson Correlation .741
by the principal Sig. (2-tailed) .008
N 62
The study there is a positive relationship between teachers‘ job satisfaction in
public secondary schools in Embakasi Sub-County and pacesetting leadership
style employed by the principal as expressed by coefficient of 0.741.
Moreover, the p-value was 0.008<0.05 implying that the study rejected the
hypothesis that there is no significant relationship between pacesetting
leadership style employed by the principal and the teachers‘ job satisfaction in
public secondary schools in Embakasi Sub-County.
4.7.2 Regression Analysis for the Pacesetting Leadership Style and
Teachers’ Job Satisfaction
The model summary in Table 4.25 provides an overview of the key statistics
and performance metrics of the regression model to test the relationship
84
between pacesetting leadership style employed by the principal and teachers‘
job satisfaction in public secondary schools in Embakasi Sub-County.
Table 4. 25: Model Summary for the Pacesetting Leadership Style and
Teachers’ Job Satisfaction
Adjusted R
Model R R Square Square Std. Error
1 0.741 0.549 0.542 0.378
The findings in Table 4.25 shows that r=0.741. This indicates that level
pacesetting leadership style employed by the principal has a very strong
relationship with teachers‘ job satisfaction in public secondary schools in
Embakasi Sub-County. In addition, R2 was 0.549 which indicate that level
pacesetting leadership style employed by the principal explains 54.9 of the
variations in the teachers‘ job satisfaction in public secondary schools in
Embakasi Sub-County.
The ANOVA in Table 4.26 is a critical component in statistical analysis,
particularly in assessing the significance of the predictor variables in a
regression model. This table is instrumental in assessing the overall model fit
and the individual contributions of each predictor variable.
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Table 4.26: ANOVAa for the Pacesetting Leadership Style and Teachers’
Job Satisfaction
Sum of Mean
Model Squares df Square F Sig.
1 Regression 10.455 1 10.455 73.146 5.63E-12
Residual 8.576 60 0.143
Total 19.031 61
The overall F statistics, (F =73.146, p=5.63E-12<0.05), indicated that there
was a very statistical significant relationship between level pacesetting
leadership style employed by the principal and teachers‘ job satisfaction in
public secondary schools in Embakasi Sub-County. The null hypothesis was
hence rejected and it was concluded that there is a significant relationship
between pacesetting leadership style employed by the principal and teachers‘
job satisfaction in public secondary schools in Embakasi Sub-County.
Table 4.27 shows the regression coefficient that estimates coefficients of the
predictor variables in the regression model. These coefficients provide insights
into the strength and direction of the relationships between the predictors and
the dependent variable.
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Table 4. 26: Regression Coefficientsa for the Pacesetting Leadership Style
and Teachers’ Job Satisfaction
Unstandardized Standardized
Coefficients Coefficients
Std.
Model B Error Beta t Sig.
1 (Constant) 1.131 0.642 1.762 0.082
Pacesetting 0.801 0.236 0.741 3.394 0.001
leadership style
employed by
the principal
The results on test of significance also indicate that level pacesetting
leadership style employed by the principal (β=0.801, p=0.001) was significant
at p<0.05 and 95 confidence level. Using the statistical findings in Table 4.27,
the regression model can be substituted as follows:
Y= 1.131 + 0.801X4
Where;
Y = Teachers‘ job satisfaction in public secondary schools in
Embakasi Sub-County
X4 = Pacesetting leadership style employed by the principal
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4.7.3 Discussion for Pacesetting Leadership Style and Teachers’ Job
Satisfaction
The study revealed that the principal consistently modifies the goals that
teachers are expected to achieve, selectively assigns proficient teachers to
particular duties, fosters self-motivation among staff members, maintains
frequent communication, and assumes decision-making authority for teachers.
The study additionally revealed that the principle frequently imposes stringent
deadlines for work completion, sets a leading example, and expects immediate
outcomes from allocated duties. This leadership style involves the leader
establishing elevated expectations for the group they represent (Goleman,
2000). The leaders exhibit the tasks they are managing and subsequently want
their subordinates to do the same (Bashir & Khalil, 2017). They assert that if
staff are unable to fulfill the established targets, they are subsequently replaced
with individuals who are capable of doing so.
The study revealed that the principle occasionally coerces teachers to achieve
the established objectives and optimizes the capabilities of each teacher. This
conclusion contradicts the findings of Rani and Prasad (2017), who
demonstrated that the pacesetting leadership style of teachers did not have a
substantial impact on teacher efficiency. The study also revealed that the age
of the instructors influenced the relationship between pacesetting leadership
style and teacher effectiveness. Specifically, it found that pacesetting
leadership style is inversely associated with teacher effectiveness. These
instructors experienced a sense of being overwhelmed by the leader's high
expectations and disliked his inclination to assert authority, which in turn
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affected the overall atmosphere and levels of contentment inside the school
(Goleman, 2000).
4.8 Teachers’ Job Satisfaction
The respondents were asked to indicate their level of job satisfaction with
statements related to teachers‘ job satisfaction in public secondary schools in
Embakasi Sub-County. The results were as shown in Table 4.28.
Table 4.28: Level of Teachers’ job satisfaction in Public Secondary
Schools in Embakasi Sub-County
Statement VS S U SS NS Mean Std.
F% F% F% F% F% Dev.
Working conditions
Amount of 15 23.9 37 4 6.7 3 5.5 2 3.7 3.951 0.928
workload per 60.1
week
Availability of 29 47.2 26 --- --- 7 11.0 4.143 0.663
staff housing 41.7
within school
Special services 11 17.2 37 5 7.4 6 9.2 4 6.7 3.712 0.570
e.g. free lunch 59.5
provided by
school
Extent of 27 44.2 18 8 12.9 5 8.0 3 5.5 3.988 0.681
provision with 29.4
teaching
equipment
The pupil to 18 29.4 39 1 1.8 2 2.5 2 3.1 4.135 0.820
teacher ratio in 63.2
the classrooms
Availability of 27 44.2 23 9 14.1 1 1.8 2 3.1 4.172 0.953
transport services 36.8
by the school
Elaboration of 46 74.8 13 2 2.5 1 0.6 1 1.8 4.656 0.732
job description 20.2
by the principal
Pay and promotion
Adequate salary. 9 14.1 26 8 12.9 8 12.9 11 17.8 3.221 0.838
42.3
Availability of 36 58.3 26 --- --- --- 4.583 0.995
promotion 41.7
opportunities
Other benefits 38 61.3 24 --- --- --- 4.614 0.988
insurance etc. 38.7
89
Job security and 27 43.6 22 4 6.1 3 5.5 6 9.8 3.969 0.769
permanence 35.0
Work relationships
Relationship 1 1.8 29 10 8 13.5 13 21.5 2.919 0.965
with other 47.2 16.0
teachers
Relationship 3.686 0.989
with the 12 19.2 32 8 12.1 8 12.6 3 4.7
principal. 51.4
Relationship 23 36.8 8 12.3 10 8 12.3 14 22.1 3.279 0.928
with 16.6
subordinates.
Recognition
The way your 19 30.7 25 6 9.8 5 8.6 7 11.0 3.686 0.528
job performance 39.9
is
acknowledged.
The way your 6 10.3 12 9 14 20 2.523 0.985
views are taken 20.1 14.0 22.9 32.7
by the principal.
Your 4 6.1 29 9 15.3 9 14.1 11 18.4 3.070 0.970
involvement in 46.0
decision making
on school
matters.
Your 12 33 9 6 9.8 2 2.8 3.779 0.982
involvement in 20.1 52.8 14.5
choosing
incentives to be
given.
Responsibility
Variety of job 4 6.1 29 9 15.3 9 14.1 11 18.4 3.076 0.509
responsibilities 46.0
you are given
The degree of 26 26 8 2 3.7 --- 4.215 0.817
challenge you 42.1 42.1 12.1
derive from your
job.
The authority 31 49.7 25 2 3.7 2 3.7 2 3.1 4.291 0.822
you are given to 39.9
perform tasks.
The extent to 3 5.5 31 8 12.3 11 17.2 9 15.3 3.127 0.795
which you are 49.7
allowed to make
decisions
The amount of 38 62.0 24 --- --- --- 4.620 0.978
satisfaction you 38.0
derive from your
role.
Administration and Supervision
The type of 8 12.9 27 10 7 11.7 10 16.0 3.233 0.808
feedback you 42.9 16.6
90
receive from the
principal
Supervisory --- 30 11 11 17.2 11 17.2 2.965 0.901
strategies used 47.9 17.8
by the principal
to assess you.
Appraisal 1 1.2 27 12 10 16.0 13 20.9 2.884 0.841
procedures 42.9 19.0
employed by the
principal
Provision of --- 2 2.8 8 18 34 1.907 0.544
chance to lead. 13.6 29.0 54.7
Adequate 21 29 6 5 7.5 1 2.3 4.023 0.801
opportunity for 33.6 46.7 9.8
change in duties
Use of skills and abilities
Opportunity to --- 29 13 12 19.0 9 14.7 2.975 0.858
learn new skills. 46.0 20.2
Support for 32 52.3 23 5 7.9 2 2.8 --- 4.392 0.755
additional 36.9
training in skills.
Information 35 57.1 27 --- --- --- 4.570 0.521
availed by 42.9
principal on
existing
trainings.
Willingness of 19 26 12 4 6.1 1 0.9 3.975 0.959
the principal to 31.3 42.5 19.2
secure study
leave.
Legend: VS= Very Satisfied, S= Satisfied, U= Undecided, SS= Somewhat
Satisfied, NS=Not Satisfied at all.
As per the Table 4.28, on elaborating of job description by the principal,
46(74.8%) of the respondents were very satisfied, and 13(20.2%) were
satisfied. On other benefits (insurance etc.), 38(61.3%) of the respondents
were very satisfied, and 24(38.7%) were satisfied. Further, 36(58.3%) of the
respondents were very satisfied and 26(41.7%) were satisfied with the
availability of promotion opportunities. Also, on the availability of transport
services by the school, 27(44.2%) of the respondents were very satisfied, and
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23(36.8%) were satisfied. On availability of staff housing within school,
29(47.2%) of the respondents were very satisfied, and 26(41.7%) were
satisfied. On pupil-to-teacher ratio in the classrooms, 39(63.2%) of the
respondents were satisfied, and 18(29.4%) were very satisfied.
Regarding the extent of provision with teaching equipment, 27(44.2%) of the
respondents were very satisfied, while 18(29.4%) were satisfied. On job
security and permanence, 27(43.6%) of the respondents were very satisfied,
while 22(35.0%) were satisfied. Moreover, on the amount of workload per
week, 37(60.1%) of the respondents were satisfied, and 15(23.9%) were very
satisfied. On the special services e.g. free lunch provided by school,
37(59.5%) of the respondents were satisfied and 11(17.2%) were very
satisfied. On adequate salary, 26(42.3%) of the respondents were satisfied
while 11(17.8%) were not satisfied.
In line with work relationships, 32(51.4%) of the respondents were satisfied
and 12(19.2%) were very satisfied with their relationship with the principal.
On the relationship with subordinates, 23(36.8%) of the respondents were very
satisfied, while 14(22.1%) were not satisfied and 10(16.6%) were undecided.
On the relationship with other teachers, 29(47.2%) of the respondents were
satisfied, 13(21.5%) were not satisfied, and 10(16.0%) were undecided.
As per the recognition, 33(52.8%) of the respondents were satisfied, and
12(20.1%) were very satisfied with their involvement in choosing incentives
to be given. On the way their job performance is acknowledged, 25(39.9%) of
the respondents were satisfied and 19(30.7%) were very satisfied. However,
92
11(18.4%) of the respondents were not satisfied, 9(15.3%) were somewhat
satisfied while 9(14.1%) were undecided on whether their involvement in
decision making on school matters. While, 20(32.7%) of the respondents were
not satisfied, 14(22.9%) were somewhat satisfied, and 9(14.0%) were
undecided on the way their views are taken by the principal.
In regards to responsibility, 38(62.0%) of the respondents were very satisfied,
and 24(38.0%) were satisfied with their role. On the authority they are given
to perform tasks, 31(49.7%) of the respondents were very satisfied, and
25(39.9%) were satisfied. On the degree of challenge they derive from their
job, 26(42.1%) of the respondents were very satisfied, and 26(42.1%) were
satisfied. However, on the extent to which they are allowed to make decisions,
11(17.2%) of the respondents were somewhat satisfied, 9(15.3%) were not
satisfied, while 8(12.3%) were undecided. On the variety of job
responsibilities they are given, 11(18.4%) of the respondents were not
satisfied, 9(15.3%) were somewhat satisfied, and 9(14.1%) were somewhat
satisfied.
As per administration and supervision, 29(46.7%) the respondents were
satisfied, and 21(33.6%) were very satisfied with adequate opportunity for
change in duties. However, on the type of feedback they received from the
principal, 10(16.6%) of the respondents were undecided, 10(16.0%) were not
satisfied and 7(11.7%) were somewhat satisfied. On supervisory strategies
used by the principal to assess them, 11(17.8%) of the respondents were
undecided, 11(17.2%) were somewhat satisfied, and 11(17.2%) were not
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satisfied. On the appraisal procedures employed by the principal, 13(20.9%) of
the respondents were not satisfied, 12(19.0%) were undecided, and 10(16.0%)
were somewhat satisfied. Moreover, on their provision of chance to lead,
34(54.7%) of the respondents were not satisfied, 18(29.0%) were somewhat
satisfied, and 8(13.6%) were undecided.
On the use of skills and abilities, 35(57.1%) of the respondents were very
satisfied, and 27(42.9%) were satisfied with the information availed by
principal on existing trainings. On the support for additional training in skills,
32(52.3%) of the respondents were very satisfied, and 23(36.9%) were
satisfied. On the willingness of the principal to secure study leave, 26(42.5%)
of the respondents were satisfied, and 19(31.3%) were very satisfied.
However, on the opportunity to learn new skills, 13(20.2%) of the respondents
were undecided, 12(19.0%) were somewhat satisfied, and 9(14.7%) were not
satisfied.
Therefore, Table 4.28 reveals that the highest satisfaction (Mean= 4.656) is
derived from elaboration of job description by the principal, (Mean= 4.62) for
satisfaction derived from role, (Mean= 4.583) for availability of promotion
opportunities and (Mean= 4.656) for information given by the principal on the
existing training opportunities. Nevertheless, teachers derived least
satisfaction from being provided with a chance to lead (Mean= 1.907), the way
their views are taken by the principal (Mean= 2.523) and the appraisal
mechanism applied by the principal (Mean= 4.656).
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From the interviews, the education officers were required to state the
indicators that showed that the teachers in the sub county were not satisfied.
They indicated that this could be seen with constant complaining of poor
remuneration in comparison to other professions forgetting the profession that
enjoy courtesy of the teaching profession that other don‘t enjoy, negative or no
feedback, and low performance is a pointer that teachers are dissatisfied. Also,
failure to work under deadlines may be a sign that they are demotivated,
teachers tend to defy rules e.g. lateness or half-heartedly done work, and not
attending to learners as expected for example, going to class late and leaving
earlier, not co-operative, not attending for five days, divisions amongst them,
gossiping about the principal. Interviewer P3 noted,
Whenever teachers are dissatisfied, they send numerous transfer
requests from their schools, many are found with disciplinary cases
especially absconding work and the outcome in national exams is
always low.
The interviewees were asked to indicate how they mitigate teacher job
dissatisfaction. They indicated that through conducting regular unplanned
visits to schools to monitor what happens there, through job evaluation to
helped remunerate teachers based on their contribution in the learning process
or by considering their skills and critical services they offer e.g. SNE teachers
get an allowance because of the nature of their work, through collaborative
leadership involving all in discussion making, through dialoguing with the
teachers by asking them to give feedback and also enquiring on areas that need
improvement, and treating them equally in capacity building, and assigning
duties to perform.
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The interviewer asked about the style of leadership the principals should put in
place to promote teacher job satisfaction in public secondary schools in
Embakasi sub-county. The interviewees indicated that principals should
embrace multiple leadership styles and apply them based on the prevailing
circumstance. Some indicated that a mix of style given the situation at hand
e.g. when conducting staff meeting employ participative, when receiving a
new member of staff employ coaching, when communicating government
policy, use autocratic. Moreover, most of them indicated that they adopt
participative leadership that ensures all teachers are involved, and the staff the
freedom of choice.
The interviewees were asked to state whether they think it would be advisable
for principals to use more than one leadership style. They indicated that
different circumstances arise that call for unique leadership styles and
therefore one leadership style is not sufficient to address all circumstances that
take place or may emerge in a school set up.
4.8.1 Discussion for Teachers’ Job Satisfaction
The study revealed that they expressed contentment with their active
participation in selecting incentives to be provided, as well as with the
recognition of their job success. Berg (2016) found that as employees develop
a stronger belief in their skills and become more independent, their job
satisfaction typically increases. This is because they have a better sense of
autonomy and accomplishment in their positions. Leaders that use a coaching
approach prioritize the development of their team members by providing
96
direction and support to help them acquire new skills and knowledge (Karlsen
& Berg, 2020). The emphasis on learning not only provides employees with
the necessary skills to succeed in their positions, but also cultivates a feeling
of individual and career development, resulting in higher levels of job
contentment.
The investigation additionally confirmed that there was uncertainty over their
satisfaction with the input they received from the principal. The findings
contradict Nwakpa's (2017) assertion that job satisfaction may decline among
employees who perceive a lack of support or struggle to reach the
continuously lofty goals established by their leader. Essentially, although
pacesetting leadership can be helpful in some situations, it necessitates
thoughtful deliberation on its influence on employee welfare and job
contentment, as well as the equilibrium between exacting requirements and the
necessary assistance for people to flourish. The ongoing feedback and
assistance offered by coaching leaders foster a sense of affiliation and
commitment to the organization, hence diminishing the probability of
employee attrition (Jarosz, 2021).
The survey revealed that they expressed contentment with the provision of
support for further enhancement of their skills through training. Young (2018)
found that teachers who experience job satisfaction actively engage in capacity
building initiatives and readily adopt innovative technology and software to
enhance their professional performance. In contrast, experiencing low job
satisfaction leads to regular absences, hostility, intents to leave the job, lack of
97
dedication, and early retirement. The style of leadership plays a crucial role in
determining whether the teaching staff stays in their profession or seeks
employment elsewhere.
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CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1 Introduction
This chapter gives that summary of the data findings, discussion of the data
findings, conclusion drawn from the findings highlighted and recommendation
made there-to. The conclusions and recommendations drawn are focused on
addressing the objective of the study. The objective of this study was to
establish the principals‘ leadership styles influencing teachers‘ job satisfaction
in public secondary schools in Embakasi Sub-County, Nairobi.
5.2 Summary of the Findings
5.2.1: Coaching Leadership Style and Teachers’ Job Satisfaction
The study sought to determine the extent to which coaching leadership style
employed by the principal influences teachers‘ job satisfaction in public
secondary schools in Embakasi Sub-County. The study found that the
principal always focuses on helping others achieve their goals, helps teachers
plan for the future, provides guidance when needed, and treats each and every
individual member differently. The research also established that the principal
often is patient with the subordinates and allows for growth. The study further
found that the principal sometimes: rewards the staff, organizes for the staff
workshops and seminars, is flexible and adjusts to the needs of others, is
reflective and helps others learn from their mistakes, and emphasizes honesty
and helping others see the truth.
99
5.2.2: Affiliative Leadership Style and Teachers’ Job Satisfaction
The research aimed to determine how affiliative leadership style employed by
the principal influences teachers‘ job satisfaction in public secondary schools
in Embakasi Sub-County. The study found that the principal always regards
teachers as most important. The study also found that the principal often gives
advance notice of changes, permits members to use their own judgment,
allows flexible timelines for completing tasks, encourages equality among
teachers and cadres, gives members positive feedback frequently and
communicates empathetically. The research further found that the principal
sometimes allows teachers to go about their roles uninterrupted, and strives to
know the feelings of their staff. Moreover, the research found that the
principal rarely: schedules the work to be done.
5.2.3: Participative Leadership Style and Teachers’ Job Satisfaction
The study sought to establish how participative leadership style employed by
the principal influences the teachers‘ job satisfaction in public secondary
schools in Embakasi Sub-County. The research found that the principal
always: ensures equal chance of members spearheading tasks, and encourages
teamwork among teachers. The study also found that the principal often:
encourages staff to expressly give their opinions, is accommodative of other
teachers‘ opinions, clarifies roles to staff members, expresses confidence in
staff despite disagreements, friendly and easy to dialogue with, and shows
understanding towards staff despite holding divergent opinions with them. The
research found that the principal sometimes: genuinely shares information
with staff members, and reaches out to introverted teachers to speak out.
100
5.2.4: Pacesetting Leadership Style and Teachers’ Job Satisfaction
The study sought to examine how pacesetting leadership style employed by
the principal influences teachers‘ job satisfaction in public secondary schools
in Embakasi Sub-County. The study found that the principal always: keeps
revising targets to be met by teachers, only uses skilled teachers for specific
tasks, encourage self-motivation among members of staff, communicates
regularly, and makes decisions for teachers. The study also found that the
principal often: gives strict deadlines of task completion, leads by example,
and demands instant results from assigned tasks. The study found that the
principal sometimes: compels teachers to meet the set targets, and utilizes the
abilities of every teacher to the maximum.
5.3 Conclusions
As per the findings, it can be concluded that the coaching leadership style
employed by the principal in public secondary schools in Embakasi Sub-
County has a significant positive influence on teachers' job satisfaction
(β=0.814, p=0.002<0.05). The research concluded that teachers who have
experienced coaching leadership tend to be more satisfied with their work,
possibly due to the guidance, support, and professional development
opportunities provided by their principals.
The research deduced that the affiliative leadership style used by principals in
public secondary schools in Embakasi Sub-County positively influences
teachers' job satisfaction (β=0.843, p=0.005<0.05). The study concluded that
principals who foster a sense of belonging, open communication, and a
101
supportive atmosphere tend to have more satisfied teachers. This style creates
a positive work environment where teachers feel valued and supported.
Based on the findings, it can be concluded that the participative leadership
style employed by principals has a notable impact on teachers' job satisfaction
in public secondary schools in Embakasi Sub-County (β=0.700,
p=0.004<0.05). The study concluded that when teachers are involved in
decision-making processes and their input is valued, they tend to experience
higher levels of job satisfaction, as they perceive their work environment as
more inclusive and collaborative.
The research established that the pacesetting leadership style employed by
principals in public secondary schools in Embakasi Sub-County may have a
mixed influence on teachers' job satisfaction (β=0.801, p=0.001<0.05). The
study also concluded that while this style can set high performance standards
and drive excellence, it may also create stress and dissatisfaction among
teachers if expectations are consistently unattainable. Therefore, the impact of
pacesetting leadership on job satisfaction may vary depending on how it is
executed and balanced with other leadership styles.
5.4 Recommendations
From a practical perspective, the study‘s findings provide potential benefits to
leaders and organizations through insights into the positive impact of school
leaders‘ coaching skills on employees. Therefore, school leaders should
develop coaching skills such as: creating good relationships with employees,
excellent communication and active listening, respect and empathy, and
102
continuous feedback. The study recommends that principals should receive
training in coaching skills to effectively support their teachers' professional
development. This includes active listening, providing constructive feedback,
and setting clear goals.
Principals should foster a culture of inclusivity and support where teachers
feel they belong and can express their concerns openly. Open and transparent
communication should be encouraged, with regular feedback sessions and
channels for teachers to voice their opinions. The study recommends that
principals should recognize and appreciate the efforts of their teachers, both
publicly and privately, to reinforce the sense of being valued. Further,
principals should balance high expectations with a realistic understanding of
teacher workloads and capabilities. Moreover, the study recommends that the
schools should communicate performance expectations clearly and provide
necessary resources and support to help teachers meet these expectations.
Public secondary schools in Embakasi Sub-County should adjust leadership
approaches as needed to continuously evaluate the impact of the pacesetting
style on teacher well-being and job satisfaction.
The study recommends that the head teacher needs to play the role of a coach
and a mentor at the same time to his/her subordinate. Adoption of leadership
strategies by the schools‘ heads such as a participative style of leadership
creates a conducive environment which will help in improving teachers‘ job
satisfaction
103
There is a need for leaders in learning institutions to contribute not only in
terms of knowledge or ideas but also in making the right decisions and
respond to changes. The school principals' role is to promote academic
performance. The success of what is done in the school is attributed to the
principal. He or she is the pivot around which many aspects of the school
revolve, being the person in charge of every detail of running the school,
whether academic or administrative.
School authorities based on Regional Education office and District Education
office need to develop strategies to deal with the needs of those teachers who
experience less job satisfaction. Proactive attention to this should demonstrate
preparedness on side of school administrators to address teachers and thereby
reduce ineffectiveness among teachers.
Principals should get involved in decision making, as key stakeholders, in
formulating school vision, mission and strategic plans, so that there could be
ownership and shared understanding of the school developed missions and
plans.
School principals should endeavor to adopt leadership behaviors that will
create an enabling environment for teacher job satisfaction to maximize
academic results. Trainers, for example, Kenya Education Staff Institute
should consider introduction of courses for training principals to the
understand relationship between academic results and teacher job satisfaction.
104
5.5 Recommendation for Further Research
The study was confined to principals‘ leadership styles influencing teachers‘
job satisfaction in public secondary schools in Embakasi Sub-County, Nairobi,
thus the study recommends that other forms of principals‘ leadership styles in
other schools could be put into considerations. Moreover, there is need to find
out whether the influence of principals‘ leadership styles on teachers‘ job
satisfaction in public secondary schools is similar in other counties. Further
studies could also be conducted using private institutions from a wider variety
of backgrounds. Yet another area that demands attention is leadership and
academic performance or student outcomes. It is expected that high levels of
satisfaction will exert on student learning and raise academic performance. In
this sense studies on assessing leadership impact on student performance
would be invaluable.
105
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APPENDICES
Appendix I: LETTER OF INTRODUCTION
University of Nairobi
Department of Education, Policy and Curriculum Studies
P.O Box 92, Kikuyu.
10th July 2023.
Dear Principal,
RE: PERMISSION TO CONDUCT RESEARCH IN YOUR
INSTITUTION.
I am a student at the University of Nairobi carrying out a research on the
Influence of Principals’ Leadership Styles on Teacher Job Satisfaction in
Embakasi Sub County, Nairobi. I kindly request you to allow me to collect
data from your school by completing the questionnaire provided. I promise
that your identity will be treated as confidential and that the data was used for
the purpose of this research only.
Your cooperation will be highly appreciated.
Thank you.
Yours faithfully,
Norman Oyuga Anyinyo.
E55/36099/2019.
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Appendix II: Questionnaire for Teachers and Principals
This questionnaire is to collect data purely for academic purposes. The study
sought to investigate the Influence of the Principal‘s Leadership Styles on
Teacher‘s Level of Job Satisfaction in Embakasi Sub County, Nairobi, Kenya.
You have been identified as a respondent. All information will be treated with
strict confidentiality. Do not insert your name or your school in this
questionnaire. Please respond to all the questions as correctly as possible by
ticking or filling in. Tick (√) where applicable.
SECTION A: GENERAL INFORMATION OF THE RESPONDENT.
1. What is your gender? Male……………. Female………….
2. What is your age bracket?
20-30 years ( ) 31-40 years ( ) 41-50 years ( ) 51 years
and above ( )
3. What is your highest academic qualification?
Masters ( ) Bachelor‘s Degree ( ) Diploma( ) Any other ( )
4. How many years have you been teaching in your present school?
Below 2 years ( ) 2-5 years ( ) 6- 10 years ( ) Over 10
years ( )
5. What responsibility do you hold in school?
Class Teacher ( ) Games Teacher ( ) Head of Department ( )
Senior Master ( ) Deputy Principal ( ) Principal ( )
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PERCEPTION OF PRINCIPAL’S LEADERSHIP STYLE
Please indicate by inserting a tick (√) in the appropriate column that applies to
your principal‘s leadership behavior. Use the 5-point Likert scale where 5 =
Always, 4 = Often, 3 = Sometimes, 2 = Rarely and 1 = Never.
SECTION B
6. Coaching leadership style employed by the 5 4 3 2 1
principal.
i. He helps teachers plan for the future.
ii. Patient with the subordinates and allows for
growth.
iii. Rewards the staff.
iv. Is flexible and adjusts to the needs of others.
v. Organizes for the staff workshops and
seminars
vi. Provides guidance when needed.
vii. Focuses on helping others achieve their
goals.
viii. Is reflective and helps others learn from their
mistakes.
ix. Treats each and every individual member
differently.
x. Emphasizes honesty and helping others see
the truth.
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SECTION C
7. Affiliative leadership style employed by the 5 4 3 2 1
principal
i. Regards teachers as most important.
ii. Gives members positive feedback frequently.
iii. Strives to know the feelings of my staff.
iv. Allows teachers to go about their roles
uninterrupted.
v. Schedules the work to be done
vi. Gives advance notice of changes.
vii. Permits members to use their own
judgement.
viii. Encourages equality among teachers and
cadres.
ix. Allows flexible timelines for completing
tasks
x. Communicates empathetically.
SECTION D
8. Participative leadership style employed by the 5 4 3 2 1
principal
i. Friendly and easy to dialogue with.
ii. Expresses confidence in staff despite
disagreements.
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iii. Is accommodative of other teachers‘ opinions
iv. Encourages staff to expressly give their
opinions.
v. Shows understanding towards staff despite
holding divergent opinions with them
vi. Genuinely shares information with staff
members.
vii. Clarifies roles to staff members.
viii. Ensures equal chance of members
spearheading tasks.
ix. Encourages teamwork among teachers.
x. Reaches out to introverted teachers to speak
out.
SECTION E
9. Pace-setting leadership style employed by the 5 4 3 2 1
principal
i. Demands instant results from assigned tasks.
ii. Encourage self-motivation among members
of staff.
iii. Makes decisions for teachers.
iv. Utilizes the abilities of every teacher to the
maximum.
v. Compels teachers to meet the set targets.
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vi. Keeps revising targets to be met by teachers.
vii. Leads by example.
viii. Gives strict deadlines of task completion
ix. Communicates regularly.
x. Only uses skilled teachers for specific tasks.
SECTION F: JOB SATISFACTION SURVEY.
10. Please read each statement carefully and honestly and give your opinion
about your level of job satisfaction. Please tick (√) to show the most
appropriate response. Use the 5-point Likert scale where 5 = Very satisfied, 4
=satisfied, 3 =Undecided, 2 =Somewhat Satisfied and 1=Not Satisfied at all.
Statements 5 4 3 2 1
Working conditions
i. Amount of workload per week.
ii. Availability of staff housing within school.
iii. Special services e.g. free lunch provided by
school.
iv. Extent of provision with teaching
equipment.
v. The pupil to teacher ratio in the classrooms.
vi. Availability of transport services by the
school.
vii. Elaboration of job description by the
principal.
Pay and promotion 5 4 3 2 1
viii. Adequate salary
ix. Availability of promotion opportunities
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x. Other benefits (insurance etc.)
xi. Job security and permanence
Work relationships 5 4 3 2 1
xii. Relationship with other teachers
xiii. Relationship with the principal.
xiv. Relationship with subordinates.
Recognition 5 4 3 2 1
xv. The way your job performance is
acknowledged.
xvi. The way your views are taken by the
principal.
xvii. Your involvement in decision making on
school matters.
xviii. Your involvement in choosing incentives to
be given.
Responsibility 5 4 3 2 1
xix. Variety of job responsibilities you are given
xx. The degree of challenge you derive from
your job.
xxi. The authority you are given to perform
tasks.
xxii. The extent to which you are allowed to
make decisions
xxiii. The amount of satisfaction you derive from
your role.
Administration and Supervision 5 4 3 2 1
xxiv. The type of feedback you receive from the
principal
xxv. Supervisory strategies used by the principal
to assess you.
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xxvi. Appraisal procedures employed by the
principal
xxvii. Provision of chance to lead.
xxviii. Adequate opportunity for change in duties
Use of skills and abilities 5 4 3 2 1
xxix. Opportunity to learn new skills.
xxx. Support for additional training in skills.
xxxi. Information availed by principal on existing
trainings.
xxxii. Willingness of the principal to secure study
leave.
Thank you very much for your co-operation and assistance
119
Appendix III: Interview Schedule For Sub-County Education Officers
(SCDE, SCQASO, SCTSC, CSO).
Thank you for accepting to take part in this interview.
The purpose of this interview is to collect data on the Influence of Principals
Leadership Styles on Teacher Job Satisfaction in Embakasi Sub-County,
Nairobi. I wish to assure you that your responses will remain confidential.
1. a) Do you believe in principals capacity-building their members of
staff? If yes, why?
b) In your opinion, should the principal treat members of staff
differently?
c) Why should principals assist the teachers in achieving their
goals?
d) In your view, how does coaching leadership style influence
teacher job satisfaction?
2. a) Should the principals regard teachers as the most important factor in
learning within the school? Explain.
b) It is necessary for the principal to know the feelings of their teachers.
Do you agree or disagree?
c) It is necessary to promote equality across various cadres of teachers
within the school? Please explain your view.
d) In your own view, how does affiliative leadership style influence
teacher job satisfaction?
3. a) When should the principal promote participative leadership style in
schools?
120
b) Explain whether each member of staff be given a chance to spearhead
tasks.
c) Should schools create an atmosphere for introverted teachers to speak
out?
d) In your view, how does participative leadership style influence teacher
job satisfaction?
4 a) How much time should principals give their teachers to realize
results in their given assignments?
b) When should principals make decisions for teachers in your opinion?
c) Should the deadlines set by the principals for teachers be strict or
flexible?
d) In your view, how does pace-setting leadership style influence teacher
job satisfaction?
5. As an education officer, what are the indicators that the teachers in your sub
county are not satisfied?
6. How do you mitigate teacher job dissatisfaction?
7. What style of leadership do you think principals should put in place to
promote teacher job satisfaction in public secondary schools in Embakasi sub-
county and why?
8. Do you think it would be advisable for principals to use more than one
leadership style? Give reasons for your response.
Thank you very much for your co-operation and assistance
121
Appendix IV: NACOSTI Research Permit
122
Appendix V: Regional Director Of Education Research Authorization
123
Appendix VI: Sub County Director Of Education Research Authorization
124
Appendix VII: County Commissioner Research Authorization
125