Teachers' Views on Leadership in the New Normal

Abstract

During the Covid-19 pandemic, there have been radical changes in people's habits. These changes have caused uncertainties and crises in organizations, many of which brought various leadership characteristics to the fore. This article examines teachers’ opinions about leadership behaviors in these turbulent times. The study that formed the basis of this article is crucial since it reveals the leadership characteristics needed in educational organizations’ management in the new normal. The researchers used phenomenological design, a qualitative research method. Twenty teachers working in public schools in southeast Turkey participated in this study during the 2020-2021 academic year. The participants were selected by the criterion sampling method. Research data were collected in a semi-structured interview format. The views of the participants were analyzed using content analysis. According to the study’s results, the qualities that a leader should have in the new normal are categorized under four themes: “technological, transformational, agile, and human-centered management.” To that end, thirty-eight leadership qualities are needed to adjust to the new normal. In this context, a leader's technological competence, foresight, openness to innovation, and communication skills come to the forefront. In addition, today’s leaders should form a culture of learning in the digital age, take initiatives when required, and lead developments with collaboration and reflection.