Leadership Discourse Research Articles

Religious monoglossia/heteroglossia and discourses of women leadership in Pakistani higher education

A growing body of literature reveals how women in higher education are either excluded from leadership roles or face challenges when they take such responsibilities. The role of religion in Muslim societies is vital to understand Muslim women's sense of “self” and their academic leadership roles and engagement in social and political activities. This study uses Bakhtin's writings as well as a feminist perspective in Islam to unpack how religious discourses shape and construe Muslim women's leadership roles in a public university in Pakistan. Data in this study was drawn from two sources: (a) semi-structured interviews with women academic leaders and academics and (b) focus group discussions with postgraduate students. Findings suggest that discourse around women's leadership in higher education in Pakistan is influenced by a male-centric religious monoglossia characterized by discourses on the hijab, masculinist religious epistemologies, and male-centric divine imagery. In addition, the study points to heteroglossic de-centering of the religious monoglossia by suggesting heteroglossic fluidity in Pakistani religious ethics that favors women's roles as leaders in higher education. A heteroglossic fluidity is characterized by how Islam is viewed as a national project, interpreted along sectarian and gendered lines, and often misused to discourage women from assuming leadership roles.

Language and gender in a US reality TV show: An analysis of leadership discourse in single-sex interactions

This paper examines issues relating to language, gender and leadership in the debut season of the reality TV show The Apprentice (USA). In particular, it looks at the ways in which two male and two female project managers ‘do leadership’ through discourse in single-sex interactions. The analysis shows that these project managers display leadership styles which are by and large in accordance with the gendered norms and expectations. It is found that while their leadership styles are not evaluated entirely positively, the male managers receive both positive and negative comments for using predominantly masculine speech styles and the female managers who ‘do leadership’ by employing a largely feminine discourse style are perceived negatively. It is also argued that the singlesex contexts of interactions can be seen as being constructed intentionally in the TV show in order to capture the gender-stereotypical speech styles of ‘doing leadership’.

Discourses of leadership in the 2015–2023 Poland: From conflict and crisis, to a “smiling state”

Discourses of leadership in the 2015–2023 Poland: From conflict and crisis, to a “smiling state”

Reforming Model of University Leadership through Collaborative Discourse

Despite abundant leadership research work, there is still a dearth of truly original, ground-breaking collaborative research discourse. To provide greater insights of linking various disciplinary paradigms and respond to this issue, we evaluate the leadership competency (LDC) model, proposed by Fowler et al. (2018). The paper analyse the different levels of leadership practices that lead to innovation with examples drawn from leadership studies. The model offers theoretical grounding as well as actionable guidelines for generating original research ideas. In response to the need felt by researchers on leadership, collaborative initiatives indeed has a dominant place in the contemporary leadership discourse.

The Influence of Cultural Pluralism on Women's Leadership Discourse: A Socio-Cognitive Analysis: Selected Models

The Influence of Cultural Pluralism on Women's Leadership Discourse: A Socio-Cognitive Analysis: Selected Models

Fiqh Contestation on Women's Public Leadership in Indonesia and Malaysia: Reproducing Qur'anic and Hadith Interpretations

This paper discusses the contestation of women's public leadership discourse among feminist activists in Indonesia and Malaysia and how the reproduction of fiqh on women's public leadership in both countries takes place. This research is a field study with data collection through interviews and direct interaction with women activists in both countries and documenting their works. Using the Islamic activism approach, it was found that: 1) The issue of women leaders in Indonesia and Malaysia is complex. Women are often held back by culture, religion and politics. Muslim feminist groups face resistance from conservative groups when they try to challenge gender inequality. Furthermore, some sharia law make it harder for women to get legal protection and justice. More legal rights and support for women are therefore required to make politics more equal. 2) Feminist activists in Indonesia and Malaysia have reinterpreted Islamic texts to promote gender equality. They offer gender-responsive interpretation of the Qur'an and Hadith deemed to be fairer while supporting support social justice and gender equality. 3) The fiqh product of leadership concludes that the moral ideal in the Qur'an and hadith is for leaders to be competent (qawwām). People who fit this profile are well-suited to lead, particularly in a country that adheres to democratic principles.

A Sensemaking Framework for Defensive Cyber Operations: Filling the Void in Leadership Discourse

In the realm of contemporary warfare dominated by cyber threats, Defensive Cyber Operations (DCO) serve as a linchpin for mitigating risks and ensuring mission assurance. This article delves into the intricate landscape of DCO, focusing on the critical role played by Defensive Cyberspace Forces (DCFs). Despite their significance, the absence of a unified sensemaking framework poses a challenge for leaders responsible for the nuanced development and strategic employment of DCFs. The lacuna in the existing literature revolves around the lack of a comprehensive sensemaking framework tailored for operational and DCF leaders. The inadequacies of current frameworks, either overly broad or excessively specific, hinder effective dialogue and understanding. This deficiency not only obstructs the planning efforts and operational tempo of DCO but also restrains the maturation of DCFs, amplifying residual risks faced by commanders. This paper endeavours to present a purpose-built sensemaking framework crafted for leaders engaged in the dynamic realms of DCF development. Integrating well-established risk mitigation principles with the unique organizational structures and missions of DCFs, the framework fills a crucial void in the literature. Beyond being a decision-support tool, it strives to foster a shared mental model, providing a nuanced lens for leaders to contextualize and prioritize their efforts in the complex landscape of DCO. Through a meticulous critique of existing frameworks, this article introduces a tailored model designed to address identified shortcomings. Emphasizing the practical utility of the proposed framework, the discussion unfolds to elucidate how it not only facilitates the development and employment of DCF but also contributes to organizational resilience and risk mitigation. This article contributes a novel sensemaking framework to the academic discourse on DCO. While acknowledging limitations imposed by an unclassified context, the framework provides valuable insights into the strategic dimensions of DCF development and employment, DCO planning intricacies, and organizational analyses. Future avenues for research include the integration of classified information to refine the framework, ensuring its applicability across diverse DCO mission types and aligning DCF core functions with specific threats, thereby enhancing the efficacy of defensive cyber strategies.

Leadership conceptions of nurses and physicians in emergency care: A scoping review

BackgroundThe Emergency Department (ED) is a setting where teamwork and leadership is imperative, however, the literature to date is mostly discipline (nursing or medical) specific. This scoping review aimed to map what is known about nurses’ and physicians’ conceptions of leadership in the ED to understand similarities, differences, and opportunities for leadership development and research. MethodGuided by the Joanna Briggs Institute approach, and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) Guidelines, a systematic search of three electronic databases was performed. The Mixed Methods Assessment Tool was used for quality appraisal of included articles. ResultsIn total, 37 articles were included. Four key findings emerged: 1) leadership was rarely explicitly defined; 2) nurse leaders tended to be characterised as agents of continuity whilst physician leaders tended to be characterised as agents of change and continuity; 3) the clarification of expectations from nurse leaders was more evident than expectations from physician leaders; and 4) leadership discourse tended to be traditional rather than contemporary. ConclusionDespite the proliferation of studies into ED nurse, physician and interprofessional leadership, opportunities exist to integrate learnings from other sectors to strengthen the development of current and next generation of ED leaders.

Pacific perspectives on Health Professions Education leadership – An interpretivist case study

Introduction: Health Professions Education (HPE) leadership development is advocated for success at the individual, team, and institutional levels. Many leadership theories exist informed mainly by Western perspectives, however, Pacific HPE leadership has not been investigated. Therefore, this research aimed to understand Pacific HPE leaders’ perspectives to develop substantive theory to guide faculty development in this setting and add nuanced perspectives to the international HPE leadership discourse. Methods: Using an interpretivist case-study methodology, seven HPE leaders were purposefully recruited. Data collection tools included Rich Pictures, Talanoa Zoom interviews, and reflective journals. Participants drew a picture on ‘Being an HPE leader’, subsequently explaining their depiction, and then reflected on leadership events in their journals over six months. Codes and themes were identified using Miles, Huberman and Saldaña’s approach. Results: Metaphors were assigned to three HPE leadership styles identified: The ‘Bridge’- helping students from novice to competent; the ‘Coconut Tree’- multiple roles and sturdy in the storm; and the ‘Boat’ - navigating towards the vision. Conclusions: Rich Pictures, interviews and reflective journals allowed HPE leaders to reflect on ‘Being an HPE Leader’ and revealed tacit perspectives. This study suggests there are different styles of leadership, pertinent to the Pacific context, depending on the aims, strategies, and attributes of different HPE leaders. Although grounded in the Pacific, certain aspects may resonate in similar contexts. Notwithstanding that many facets of leadership identified align with current leadership models, intrapersonal emotional intelligence and cultural aspects of HPE leadership should be considered when designing contextually embedded faculty development. Keywords: Medical Education, Health Professions Education, Leadership, Qualitative Research, Case Study, Pacific

An ideological critique of the legacy of Nelson Mandela in Brenda Fassie’s “Black President”

The intrarelationship between language and music is an enthralling and intricate interplay that spans various dimensions of human expression. Both language and music are complex forms of communication, and their interaction can be observed in several ways. Words, phrases, and sentences in a language underpin specific meanings and convey information. The structure and choice of words enable precise communication of thoughts, emotions, and ideas. Musical elements such as melody, harmony, rhythm, and dynamic forces contribute to the emotional and expressive power of music. Even without lyrics, instrumental music has the capacity to evoke a wide range of sensibilities. With this in mind, the primary aim of this article is to uncover Brenda Fassie’s “Black President” in an attempt to unravel Nelson Mandela’s political and leadership discourse. To do this, an ideological critique as a theory is applied to the discussions. Ultimately, this article makes two notable findings and discussions. First, Fassie’s “Black President” emerges as a consequential symbol within postcolonial and post-apartheid South Africa. In fact, the clause “Black President” is laden with historical significance, representing a departure from the era of racial subjugation. Through linguistic choices and symbolic language, the song contributes to the ideological critique by illustrating Mandela’s presidency as a transformative moment in the nation’s history. Second (last), Fassie’s lyrical craftsmanship introduces a layer of narrative complexity, offering an ideological critique that goes beyond simple glorification. While the song acknowledges Mandela’s heroic stature, it equally confronts the challenges and disparities countenancing in post-apartheid South Africa. Linguistic choices convey a multifaceted reflection on the “Black President’s” legacy, questioning whether the dreams of liberation have materialized into concrete improvements for all citizens. The language used becomes a tool for critique, urging listeners to grapple with the intricacies of societal transformation and the realization that, despite the monumental changes, there remains unfinished business in the pursuit of liberty and justice. The concluding remarks underline the necessity to continue to examine political and leadership figures as (re)produced in musical linguistics.

Leadership Styles and Change Management: A Comprehensive Analysis

This review paper delves into the symbiotic nature of leadership styles and change management in organizational settings. In the spheres of increasing dynamism and development modern leadership becomes a pivot point enabling an organization or institution to new waters. a detailed review of leadership approaches in the research on transactional, transformational, situational, and charismatic branches how they contribute to change management. Acknowledging the need for adaptive leadership, this paper is dedicated to exploring the strategic coherence of leading styles vis-a-vis their peculiarities, claiming that such a relation matters for organizational resiliency. Leaders often must use subtle tactics to overcome challenges that can occur during change processes. This paper’s contribution to the current leadership discourse is the elaboration of how various leadership styles interact with change management processes. To this end, it seeks to clarify our understanding of the connection between leadership approaches and organizational adaptation by conducting an in-depth investigation into dynamic interactions that exist between leadership styles and change management processes. This review serves as an appetizer for understanding how effective change management outcomes are achieved through the strategic utilization of different leadership styles. This review presents a roadmap to grasp the relationship between types of leadership and effective change management.

The Nexus of Functional Stupidity Geometrics: Unpacking the Stupidity Theory on Leadership as a Toxic Mix Between Leaving a Legacy and Leadership Failure in Business Organizations

This study fires shots on the irony of corporate stupidity in the 21st century. The present study reveals that corporate functional stupidity is viral among both smart and non-smart corporations leader, small and big corporations- capitalizing on leadership and intra-organizational power dynamics and the level of imbalances in authority between those leading and those being led [leadership-follower matrix]. The practice by corporates, especially leadership from within, to ‘construct and build huge’ systems of communicative blockades ear-marked at blind-folding and encourage employees to accept demonic and exploitative work practices as a prerequisite for corporate survival is ontologically surprising and a major cause for concern. This stupidity paradox in corporations spear-headed by leaders advances the notion that power dynamics and imbalances in authority at work places create stupid leaders who represents a distinctive form of cognitive failing. Paradoxically, modern corporations appear more stupidified from within. Stupidity is here viewed as functional and is understood definitively as a form of conceptual self-hampering, characterized by aetiology and with a range of delirious effects on both individuals at work and corporate performance at the other extreme. Functional stupidity, is in its entirety an “active refusal of using one’s intellectual capacity in other than myopic ways” and leadership. The present study is a product of the researcher’s quest and thirst for ontological perspectives in determining, what characterizes stupidity and determine the emancipatory models that are needed to contain the over-acculturalization of the practice. The primary research question posits and examines the salient characteristics of corporate functional stupidity. Together with other secondary questions, this question raises issues focused on interventions (stupidity management) leaders can make to drive down levels of stupidity in their corporates and make their organizations less stupid. A mixed methodological design is adopted in order to comprehend the ontology of functional stupidity as well as the original episteme of the same. This is done by reviewing existing literature on functional stupidity, with observatory and experiential knowledge obtainable from the researcher’s work experience. The employment of discourse analysis and content merging of other studies conducted elsewhere is becomes the pedal for data analysis. The primary finding is that corporate stupidity can translate into a dangerous sense of futility that prompts even the brightest employees to abandon objectivity and silently accept absurd tasks. Corporate stupidity is a common hazard in many companies but paradoxically enough-it can prove useful to maintaining a certain degree of cohesion. Study further shows that stupid leadership attempts to structure individuals' internal conversations in ways that emphasize positive and coherent narratives and marginalize more negative or ambiguous ones. Stupid leaders throw up a variety of communicative blockades that encourage employees to accept bad practices as an inevitability of life in the particular organizational ontology within which they find themselves. The study further perspective is that many corporations are caught in the stupidity paradox: they employ smart people who end up doing stupid things. This can produce good results in the short term, but can pave the way to disaster in the longer term. Paradoxically, the study reveals that when people are seized by functional stupidity, they remain capable of doing the job, but they stop asking searching questions about their work, get over possessed with loyalism and loose creativity and innovation. Smart corporations encourage stupidity that this pays off in the short term, but creates problems in the long term. The study recommends that systematic de-stupification and denaturalization of corporate leadership discourse is a necessary undertaking. The creation of deliberate innovative support cultures cannot be over-emphasized. The study unapologetically stands and proposes very practical steps that can be used to destupidify our corporations. Future research need to be contacted focusing on the benefits of creating stupid corporations whose stupidity manifests through the behaviour of its leaders. This study is not complete until further study is conducted across all corporates to deduce how stupidity can be transformed into both medium and long term benefits to the corporation.

How are leadership discourses reflected in the leadership identity of young adults?

PurposeThis article focuses on the leadership development of young adults. The topic is of significant importance as leadership identity tends to form early in life, and its long-term implications contribute to leadership formation. The objective of this study was to gain insights into how leadership is constructed in young adults and how it is manifested in their preferred leadership identity.Design/methodology/approachThis research was approached from a constructivist perspective, utilizing discourse analysis. The authors conducted a study involving 24 written essays by young individuals with a business background, in which they shared their early leadership experiences. Drawing upon a modified life story interview structure, the authors meticulously analyzed the content.FindingsThe authors identified eight discourses clustered into two groups according to the types of leadership orientation: toward oneself and toward others. The discourses in the toward oneself group consist of leadership as taking responsibility, leadership as courage, manifesting personal strengths and as a role/status. The toward others group includes discourses approaching leadership as balancing directivity, coordinating and organizing work, personalized approach and as performance management.Research limitations/implicationsThe major methodological limitations stem from the qualitative design per se. The findings based on qualitative data have limits in generalizing.Practical implicationsThe authors' findings have practical implications for educators. The authors propose the utilization of critical self-reflection on early leadership experiences and self-narration as effective tools in nurturing and developing young leaders.Social implicationsThis paper underscores the importance of educating young leaders, as they can create a positive impact on their subordinates and society as a whole. By providing them with leadership skills, the authors initiate a chain reaction of influence that extends through different levels of leadership, leading to significant social change.Originality/valueThe authors' originality and contribution to the literature on leadership development lies in showcasing the diversity of perspectives on leadership among participants sharing a similar background and developmental stage. This holds valuable implications for educators working with this cohort.

Gendered perceptions of career advancement barriers: Unveiling challenges to female corporate leadership development

This study highlights gender-based disparities in perceived barriers to female career advancement in decision-making. Despite more women entering the workforce, their leadership representation remains low, partly due to differing perceptions of barriers by gender (van’t Foort-Diepeveen et al., 2021). Involving 236 executives and utilizing social identity and homosocial theories, the study employs a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and qualitative comments from voluntary respondents. The findings reveal that while both genders acknowledge corporate barriers, they interpret education, experience, and personal life barriers differently. Women often view these as interconnected with corporate challenges, reflecting broader systemic issues (Taparia & Lenka, 2022). The study also highlights the persistence of traditional male networks in corporations, which maintain existing leadership models and hinder change. This insight enhances our understanding of gender disparities in the workplace, particularly in Spanish-listed companies. Academically, it enriches gender studies and corporate leadership discourse by revealing the subtleties in barrier perception and their implications. Practically, it suggests that recognizing and addressing these differences can lead to more effective interventions to promote gender equality in leadership positions. This research urges a reevaluation of barrier perceptions and emphasizes the importance of inclusive strategies to bridge the gender gap in leadership

Like Animals Like Human Beings: An Ecocritical Metaphor Discourse of Leadership in Selected Poems of Niyi Osundare

Niyi Osundare extensively investigates the natural world, which is the habitat inhabited by nonhuman beings, in his poems. As a result, his poetry is referred to as eco-poetry. There have been a lot of studies of Niyi Osundare’s poetry that have focused on traditional aesthetics, political power, exile, and the African experience, but not enough studies that have looked at the leadership of animals in their natural habitats. The main sources of information for the study are Niyi Osundare’s The Leader and the Led and Random Blues. This study examined the animal metaphor in relation to leadership from the viewpoints of Lakoff and Johnson’s conceptual metaphor theory and Michael Halliday’s transitivity theory. Four main participant and process categories are identified by the data as being present in the poems, with the Material and Relational processes having the largest frequency distributions (62.98% and 22.22%, respectively). This large proportion indicates both the ongoing activity in the African continent and the significant demands that people are under in their desire to rule the biosphere. The the low occurrence of verbal and mental processes in followers (11.11% and 7.40%, respectively) suggests that both animal and human leadership aspirants are more interested in what followers do than followers are. Also, the findings revealed the metaphorical representation of each animal thus: serpent(complacence), leeches and lice (parasite), orangutans (class), beasts (hard labor), crocodile (betrayal), hive (defense), lion (subjugation), antelopes/impalas (fright), hyena (glutton), giraffe (nonchalance), zebra (duplicity), elephant (destruction), warthog (ugliness), rhino (violence), snake (anarchy), lamb (peace), tiger (aggression), doe (compassion). Overall, the study concluded that we need leaders and followers who are similar to lambs and does for harmonious cohabitation in the ecosystem.

The promotion of distributed leadership in education at national level: Discursive change to maintain the old order – Lessons from Ireland

There is increasing evidence of the influence of neoliberal and New Public Management (NPM) agendas in education systems around the world. Research shows the associated restricted drive for efficiency and effectiveness has induced negative effects on students, teachers and school leaders. Distributed leadership features prominently in policy frameworks in such countries. Despite this, research shows it manifests in limited forms of delegation. Taking Ireland as an example, this study extends this via interrogation of discourses of educational leadership advanced by the Department of Education there. This allows for an understanding of not just what is occurring but illuminates why, thereby opening up opportunities for alternative practices. Specifically, having explicated the contested term ‘distributed leadership’, this research reports on a thematic and discourse analysis of the Department's Whole School Evaluation (WSE) reports on a sample of 12 post-primary schools. Key findings reveal the Department's espoused ‘enhanced’ model of ‘distributed leadership’ belies its advancement of delegated leadership and ‘discursive twists’ that enable ‘unleaderful’ activities of teachers and routine educational experiences of students to masquerade as leadership. Leadership implications for the Department that would enable, rather than constrain, enhanced educational leadership practice in schools are highlighted.

Reproduction of Knowledge for Power: Critical Discourse Analysis of Scientific Articles and Speeches of Megeawati

The inauguration of Megawati Soekarnoputri as an honorary professor at the Defense University of the Republic of Indonesia became a topic of conversation among the public because this was the first time this had happened in Indonesia. Megawati wrote a scientific work entitled "President Megawati's Leadership in the Era of Multidimensional Crisis, 2001-2004" and gave a speech at her inauguration as Non-Permanent Professor. The two texts discuss the problems that occurred during the era of Megawati's leadership, policies to overcome problems, and the emergence of a model of "strategic leadership based on Pancasila". The leadership discourse formed by Megawati is interesting to discuss considering Megawati's position, who is the general chair of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), as well as chair of the Steering Committee of the Pancasila Ideology Development Agency (BPIP) and the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN). This research uses a qualitative approach with a critical paradigm. The research method uses critical discourse analysis coined by Fairclough, where Megawati's scientific work and inauguration speech are reviewed from the perspective of text, discursive practice and social practice. Fuchs, Habermas, and Foucault's views on knowledge and power are used to help uncover discursive practices and their impact on social practice. Based on the results of the analysis, Megawati is building a positive image as an influential strategic leader to this day. The leadership model he initiated focuses on the leader's ability to influence others and pay attention to the role of the people in decision making. The knowledge that is built is Pancasila, which is the basis for every social activity which actually reduces its values to a controlled knowledge system. The impact that arises is that the state's control over individuals is increasingly tight, down to the cognitive level. When drawn to the momentum of the 2024 general election, leadership discourse was used to help Megawati and her group return to power.

Illusions of Equity: Fulfilled and Unfulfilled Needs of Students with Disabilities in Higher Education

ABSTRACT This study documents both the accommodations and fulfilled/unfulfilled needs of students with disabilities (SWD) in one US university and two universities in Morocco, . The empirical facts from the two case studies are not in dispute; rather, how these two settings approach the concept of equity were very different, indicating that equity itself is a contested concept. However, our purpose was to explore whether fulfilling the needs for SWDs – as ‘legitimate’ equitable practices in diverse settings – might provide leadership and systemic change insights in higher education. The data was collected qualitatively using semi-structured interviews with SWD and – the US – university staff assigned to the area of student accommodations. Equity in Morocco assumed a personal humanistic approach embedded within the liberal arts and, therefore, took a laissez-faire approach institutionally. Equity in the US was manifested institutionally through individual accommodations across academics in terms of tutoring and assistive technologies, and through social and emotional learning supports. The implications for leadership suggest how institutions could improve upon fulfilled needs and how unfulfilled needs remain problematic. Thus, the meanings of equity in practice indicate how the illusions of equity continue to dominate leadership discourses.

The Acceptance of Institute of Islamic Training Malaysia’s (ILIM) Staffs on The Leadership Practice Domain

The development and progress of an organization are determined, among other by leadership factor. Literature suggests that leadership practices are crucial elements in influencing organizational management and performance. There are three domains emphasized in the discourse of leadership namely: Influencing people, two-ways interaction, and collaboration among organizational members. This article aims to examine the acceptance of these three domains in the leadership practices among staffs of the Institute of Islamic Training Malaysia (ILIM). The study employs a quantitative method through a questionnaire distributed to respondents via the Google Form application. The study sample involves 85 ILIM staff members from various levels, including management and professionals or support staff, located in Selangor. They have responded to questions related to leadership practices, encompassing influencing practices, interaction, and collaboration among members in effectively administering training program management. The responses provided indicate a significant correlation among the studied variables. This can be observed in the results of the Pearson correlation analysis related to leadership domains, which indicate that influencing skill elements and interaction skill elements are at r=.64, while the correlation between influencing skills and collaboration elements is at r=.46. Furthermore, the correlation between interaction skill elements and influencing elements is at r=.64, and the correlation between interaction elements and collaboration elements is at r=.56. Collaboration elements with influencing elements are at r=.46 and collaboration elements with interaction elements are at r=.56. The study reveals that the relationship between leadership practices and these elements shows a significant positive correlation, and ILIM staff members have the spirit and potential to become capable leaders in implementing effective training management administration. With this spirit, ILIM has successfully demonstrated its role as an authoritative Islamic training institution in providing effective services to enhance knowledge, skills, and efficient career ethics for all civil servants in Malaysia.

Leadership in early childhood education: Cross-cultural case studies before and during the COVID-19 pandemic

Using a cross-cultural comparative study approach, this study analyses and compares the leadership discourses revealed through interviews with early childhood education (ECE) leaders in Finland and Singapore. The interviews were conducted both before the COVID-19 outbreaks in 2018 and during the pandemic in 2021. Conducted as focus group discussions, the data were analysed using discursive analysis. Finnish ECE leaders’ identified discourses that revealed ‘pedagogically focused leadership’ and the ‘desire for distributed pedagogical leadership’. In Singapore, the interviews highlighted discourses related to ‘community spirit emerging from challenges’ and the ‘deepening of management demands’. An overall analysis of the discourses showed that COVID-19 resulted in changes in leadership discourses revealing that leadership was characterised with ‘leading from a distance’ and an ‘emphasis on instructions and regulations’. Despite the challenges, leaders continue to place an importance on pedagogy in their practice. The study also showed that although cultural differences in leadership discourses were identified, time as a factor, remains significant as a crucial aspect for leadership in both countries.