Administrators’ Leadership Styles in Industrial Revolution 4.0 Towards a Proposed Leadership Educational Model

Abstract

This study investigates the dynamics of school leadership within the evolving digital landscape of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (IR 4.0) in Bangladesh. As digital transformation permeates education, school administrators play a pivotal role in fostering learning environments compatible with the new demands of the research methods, this study evaluated the proficiency level of various leadership styles in the context of IR 4.0 in the Bangladesh education system. The key areas of focus included Strategic, Interpersonal, Intrapersonal, and Digital Leadership, with a particular emphasis on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Cloud Computing. Each Leadership style was assessed based on Key result areas (KRAs), strengths, deficiencies, interventions required, and potential transitions. The study revealed that while administrators perceived their practice levels to be high, teachers and students reposted their practice levels to be high, and teachers and students reposted moderate levels of practice across all styles. In Strategic Leadership, discrepancies were observed in the understanding and response to broader changes brought by IR 4.0. Interpersonal Leadership revealed gaps in relationship building and communication, while Intrapersonal Leadership pointed towards the need for enhanced self–leadership skills. Digital Leadership covering AI and Cloud computing, surfaced as an area needing extensive professional development. Through this study, important insights were gained regarding the challenges and opportunities associated with adapting leadership styles in the digital age. The findings are anticipated to contribute to the design of an effective School Leadership Development Programme. The research underscores the importance of administrators aligning their leadership practices with the evolving digital landscape, emphasizing the need for vision, innovation, and the cultivation of future-ready skills to prepare students for success in the era of IR 4.0. Keywords: strategic, interpersonal, intrapersonal, Digital Leadership, Artificial Intelligence