Exploring Educational Leadership Styles in Afghanistan’s Higher Education

This qualitative research was conducted to explore educational leadership styles in
Afghanistan’s higher education. It explored how deans and faculty members at three different
universities defined educational leadership and the leadership styles practiced by the deans.
Furthermore, the study researched the faculty and students’s perceptions of the role of leadership in
higher education. The findings indicated different definitions of educational leadership in
Afghanistan’s context and different leadership styles in which the transactional and transformational
styles are dominant. Deans’ views showed they applied a democratic and transformational leadership
style. In contrast, faculty members believed that educational leadership in Afghanistan was
transactional and the decisions were centralized.
Faculty members and students had a positive perception of the role of educational leadership
which they considered significant in faculty development, student success, positive learning, and
research environment. The research highlights that a common understanding of leadership
definitions and practices in the context of Afghanistan’s higher education is required and also
recommends leadership development programs.