ASSESSING LEADERSHIP LEVELS AND SKILLS THROUGH SELF-PERCEPTION: A QUALITATIVE STUDY OF EDUCATIONAL LEADERS IN UNIVERSITIES IN LAHORE

Abstract

This study explores educational leaders’ self-perceptions of their leadership level and how they interpret their roles within established leadership frameworks. This study adopts a case study approach and gathers data through an interview questionnaire. The sample consists of 25 purposively selected Heads of Departments (HODs) from five public and five private universities in Lahore. From a theoretical standpoint, the questionnaire was developed based on Lewis Goldberg’s (1990) Big Five theory of personality and John C. Maxwell’s leadership questionnaire to determine the leadership levels of HODs. The findings show that cooperation, discipline, and respect are key to effective leadership. Conscientiousness, extraversion, and agreeableness were identified as important traits that support responsibility, empathy, and team cohesion. Leaders often rated themselves higher than assessments suggested, highlighting the link between personality and leadership effectiveness.