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The Application of Transformational Leadership Among Christian School Leaders in the Southeast and the Mid- Atlantic North Regions

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The Application of Transformational Leadership Among Christian School Leaders in the Southeast and the Mid- Atlantic North Regions THE APPLICATION OF TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP AMONG CHRISTIAN SCHOOL LEADERS IN THE SOUTHEAST AND THE MID- ATLANTIC NORTH REGIONS A Dissertation Presented to The Faculty of the School of Education Liberty University In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Education By Dan L. Bragg June, 2008 ii THE APPLICATION OF TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP AMONG CHRISTIAN SCHOOL LEADERS IN THE SOUTHEAST AND THE MID- ATLANTIC NORTH REGIONS by Dan L. Bragg APPROVED: COMMITTEE CHAIR Clarence C. Holland, Ed.D. COMMITTEE MEMBERS Hila J. Spear, R.N., Ph.D. Ellen Lowrie Black, Ed.D. CHAIR, GRADUATE STUDIES Scott B. Watson. Ph.D. iii Abstract Dan L Bragg: THE APPLICATION OF TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP AMONG CHRISTIAN SCHOOL LEADERS IN THE SOUTHEAST AND THE MID- ATLANTIC NORTH REGIONS (Under the direction of Dr. Clarence C. Holland) School of Education, June 2008. Transformational Leadership is part of a growing body of research that is having impact in leadership development in every industry and service organization. The Christian schools leader can also take advantage of the ideas that integrate so well into Biblical principles. This causal comparative study utilizing correlation and parametric statistics (ANOVA) along with descriptive cross-sectional observation investigated the differences of Transformational leadership in two distinct regions to understand how transformational leadership responded to differing cultures. This research has taken a deeper look into the elements of transformational leadership that must be enacted for a Christian school to succeed and thrive in today’s changing world and procure a successful future for Christian education. There are many studies that suggested differences in aspects of culture will result in differences in the way transformational leadership is implemented and received. Using the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ) survey and assessing descriptive statistical information revealed several benefits, challenges, needed behaviors, and attitudes for transformational leadership to add a positive addition to Christian education while shedding light on what makes a Christian school leader successful. Though data is not conclusive to the .05 level, the Bible belt culture has instilled a great many attributes of transformational leadership, but because of iv homogenous populations, the culture has not required the same degree of Transformational leadership as would be expected in the North. This topic becomes increasingly important as Christian schools develop successful leadership in an environment of change. v Dedication This dissertation is dedicated to the following individuals, friends and family members; for is impossible to do the things we aspire to do without the Grace of God and the gift of the people He blesses us to “team up” with along the journey. To my wonderful wife, Annette, who lovingly, patiently, and with a lot of gap filling, has borne the burden of stress and time away, to help me complete this academic, and leadership goal. I love you so much! To the best boys a dad could ever have. I love watching Josiah, Isaiah, Noah, and Micah grow up and become men of God. I hope I always make you as proud, as you have made me, time and time again. To my awesome and supportive family: Betty Bragg and Cindy King, I wish you could have been here (deceased); Roy and Patsy Bragg, Wendell and Maxine Shipley, Gary and Joy, Jim and Angel, Reno and Sandy, Jim and Stephanie, and the best nephews and nieces ever. Thanks to friends like Brent and Mike who kept me thinking and pushing for God’s best. Thanks to tremendous colleagues, mentors, and co-laborores at Dayton Christian, Troy Christian, Toledo Christian, and Cincinnati Christian. It has been a blessing to serve, students and families, in such wonderful Christian Schools. Also thanks to the co-laborers and friends across the country and the world who minister in Christian schools for we often find ourselves together in ACSI seminars and meetings pushing one another to do the work of disciples. May the Lord look down and find each of us faithful (II Chronicles 16:8)! vi Acknowledgements I wish to acknowledge the advice and direction of Dr. Clarence Holland as I prepared and wrote the dissertation. He showed grace to me and interest in my development as a leader and educator. I would also like to recognize the members of my committee, Dr. Hila Spear, and Dr. Ellen Lowrie Black, who provided insight, prayer and encouragement along the way, along with the expertise of Department Chair Dr. Scott B Watson. I would like to acknowledge the schools where I have ministered, who not only encouraged me to spend time and work at the process of leadership development, but paid a great portion of the cost. I would like to thank Dr. Holly Jones who helped with thoughtful advice, editing, and the statistics process. I could not have made it without your great ideas and quick responses. I would also like to thank the faculty and staff of Liberty University for your wisdom and direction through my educational process. I am very proud of you, proud of the degree you bestow on me, and hope that you will be proud of what God is doing in me. Finally, I would like to gratefully remember my first Committee Chair, the late Dr. Rebecca Carwile, who was my professor, role model, Christian scholar, and friend. vii Table of Contents Page Signature Page……………………………………………………………………….…ii Abstract ......................................................................................................................... iii Dedication ....................................................................................................................... v Acknowledgements…………………………………………………………… . …….vi List of Tables ................................................................................................................. xi Chapter 1: Introduction to the study ............................................................................... 1 Background of the Study .............................................................................. 3 Statement of the Problem ............................................................................ 10 Theoretical Framework……………………………………………………11 Significance of Study……………………………………………………...11 Transformational Leadership ...................................................................... 13 Long Term Effects Considered……………………………………………17 The Significance of Leadership .................................................................. 18 Methodological Overview .......................................................................... 21 Theoretical Procedures…………………….………………………………23 Defintions of Key Terms…………………………………………………..25 Transformational Leadership impact……………………………………...29 The Cultural Impact of Transformtional Leadership……………………...29 Chapter 2: Review of the Literature ............................................................................ 32 viii Leadership in the Context of Culture .......................................................... 34 Leadership in the Context of School Leadership Cuture ............................ 35 Transformational over Transactional Leadership…………………………37 Conceptualizations and Theories of Transformational Leadership……….41 The Culture of the Follower ........................................................................ 42 Leadership’s Effect on People .................................................................... 42 Educational Transformation ........................................................................ 43 Transformational Leadership in Education………………………… ..…..45 Transformational Leadership in the Christian context………………… .49 Empirical Studies about Leadership………………………………………51 Transformational Leadership in Christian Education…………………….53 Transformational Leaderships’ Empiricle Effects………………………..56 Training Leaders………………………………………………………….57 Cultural Distinctions of the Bible Belt South…………………………….60 The Southern Bible Belt Culture……… ………………………………..63 Conclusion……………………………………….………………………..71 Chapter 3: Methodology………………………………….…………………………73 The General Perspective…………………………………………………..73 The Research Context ................................................................................. 75 Participants .................................................................................................. 76 Instrumentation ............................................................................................ 77 Advantages of MLQ .................................................................................... 78 ix Reliabilty Rating………… ………………………………….……………..81 Validity……………………………………………………………………..82 Reliability…………………………………… ……………………………85 Conclusions for the MLQ………………..…………………………………85 Demographic Information ........................................................................... .86 Procedures ................................................................................................... 86 Data Analysis .............................................................................................. 88 Summary of the Methodology .................................................................... 88 Chapter 4: Results .................................................................................................... 89 Hypotheses Testing ..................................................................................... 94 Additional Analysis……………………………………………………...106 Chapter 5: Discussion…………………………………………………………….....112 Methodological
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