Influence of Leadership Styles Practices in Higher Education Administration: A Case Study of Mountains of the Moon University

Abstract

Back ground; Globally Universities need to implement management procedures with the application of flexible leadership styles to improve the high education performance. The study focused on how leadership styles affect the management of higher education, particularly at Mountains of the Moon University (MMU). Purpose of the study: To examine how three different leadership philosophies; autocratic, democratic, and laissez-faire affect different facets of university management. Methodology: Adopted a mixed cross-sectional explanatory sequential approach, addressing a population of 274 respondents, including Faculty heads and Deans, lecturers, and non-teaching personnel. Data collection methods include surveys and interviews, with analysis conducted using both quantitative and qualitative approaches. Study findings: Findings indicated mixed perceptions on leadership styles adopted, majority of the respondents (58.1%) agreed democratic leadership positively influenced student behavior. (51.2%) in agreed on employees to remain at the university and (53.5%) disagreed on contributes positive attitude towards the institution. Most (53.5%) agreed autocratic leadership style guiding employees towards organizational goals, (55.8%) agreed it creates hostility, non-cooperation, and resentment toward administrators and 14.0% were unclear on connection between productivity monitoring. Majority (49.8%) disagreed laissez-faire leadership leads to their work loyalty or dedication and 40.5% disagreed on the style retains academic staff at MMU. Interview findings shown democratic leadership contributes to healthier organizational climate, interpersonal relationships and teamwork. Laissez-faire leadership aids monitoring staff compliance to new assignments and give way to innovative problem-solving and creativity. Autocratic leadership ensures uniformity, minimizes delays, and avoids confusion, which is crucial in achieving institutional goals. Conclusion: applying democratic leadership fosters inclusive innovation, adopting autocratic leadership achieves schedule compliance and discipline whereas Laissez-faire is useful in empowering highly skilled and motivated staff if balanced with clear expectations, and follow-ups. Recommendation; University administrators apply both democratic, autocratic and laissez- faire based on situational demand and results needed to be produced.