Leadership of School Principals and Their Psychological Birth Order

Abstract

The purpose of the research is to determine whether a connection exist between school principals’ leadership and their psychological birth order. Embedded single case design of the case study research was selected to meet the purpose of the study. The participants of the research consisted of 10 principals and 10 teachers working at primary and secondary schools in Artvin city center. Psychological
birth order of the principals was determined through an inventory while their leadership styles were inferred from interviews conducted with teachers. Findings of the study were examined from the point of different leadership theories and it was found that principals of younger and older boy positions had different leadership styles. Also there were some common characteristics among principals. Principals had not exhibited effective behaviors of motivating teachers, emphasizing values, supporting professional development of teachers, informing teachers of the school vision, adapting to changes in the education system and the world.