Abstract:
The main purpose of this study was to find out female leadership styles in Hababo Guduru
Woreda primary schools. To conduct this study, a descriptive research design was employed.
A total of 173 respondents (132 teachers and 41 primary school leaders) were selected as
respondents of the study. The researcher used simple random sampling method to select each
number of teachers from each primary school. Data were gathered through questionnaire,
semi structured interview, and FGD. Data gathered through questionnaire were analysed
using percentage, weighted mean and standard deviation. Data obtained through interview
and FGD were qualitatively analysed by merging them with questionnaire result to
strengthen the finding of the study. . The findings of the study revealed that female principals
highly practice democratic leadership styles while autocratic leadership style is dominant in
poorly performing schools and it is rarely practiced. The finding of the study also identified
that female principal’s leadership style has both positive and negative impacts on teachers’
performances and their working morals. Based on these findings the study recommends that
as the head teacher's management style has a potential impact (either positive or
negative) on the performance of the teaching staff depending on the form of
motivation available, female principals need to know adequately both positive and negative
consequences of their leadership styles they practice for the better performances of teachers’
working morals. Furthermore the study recommends that to an educational system, female
head teachers need to exercise various flexible leadership styles and enhance motivation of
the teachers
