The Application of Leadership Styles in Higher Learning Institutions: A Case Study of the University College of Bahrain

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the dominant leadership styles applied at the University College of Bahrain (UCB) and compare them with the international best practices. All 35 UCB employees participated in the survey agreed that the dominant leadership style applied by UCB management is the transformational leadership style. Comparing the results of the survey with the practices according to literature, it is found that transformational leadership style is the best leadership style to be applied in a higher learning institution. Thus, the current UCB leadership style is already good enough since transformational leadership has been found by many studies to have a positive relationship with job satisfaction. In addition, job satisfaction has a positive relationship with the overall performance of an organization. Therefore, UCB management needs to maintain the current leadership style and enhance its practices for a better result. This study fills the gap in the literature of leadership since it is conducted in a higher education institution in Bahrain. This study can be used as a reference for further studies and as an input for UCB management to come out with strategic decisions to improve the college’s performance.