Development and Validation of an Empirical Model to Study the Mediating Role of Empathic School Leadership in the Motivation of High School Students in India

Abstract

Emotionally fragile organizations like schools require human elements to be treated with utmost care. Most schools in India are managed by a strictly hierarchical organizational structure with the head of the school at the top. In such organizational structures, the head decides the design, nature, and direction of the various school processes. It is within this context that this study explores the two important dimensions of leadership and empathy in conjunction with each other. While the capability to feel and share the feelings of others has been regarded as an essential leadership quality, school leadership brings forth a unique and potent dimension to the concept of empathic leadership. This study explores the role of empathic school leadership in motivating students. A random sample of 297 students was administered a questionnaire. The results were analysed and a model with empathic–leadership as a mediator for student motivation was developed and validated using path analysis. Further, the instrument used was validated with confirmatory factor analysis for use as a tool to measure empathy-driven leadership in Indian schools. This instrument might help in introducing the concept of leadership–empathy audit in Indian schools.