LEADERSHIP PRACTICES OF A GLOBAL LEADER:

A CONTEXTUAL INQUIRY

PSYCHOLOGY AND EDUCATION: A MULTIDISCIPLINARY JOURNAL

2023
Volume: 8
Pages: 198-203
Document ID: 2023PEMJ640
DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.7819727
Manuscript Accepted: 2023-10-4
 Psych Educ, 2023, 8: 198-203, Document ID:2023 PEMJ640, doi:10.5281/zenodo.7819727, ISSN 2822-4353
Research Article

Leadership Practices of a Global Leader: A Contextual Inquiry

Marnel M. Bullo*, Joey V. Pardeño, Analyn F. Cuyos, Aldwin A. Celon,
Sabrina Irenea, Aiza B. Abalo, Renee A. Lamela
For affiliations and correspondence, see the last page.
Abstract
Leaders perform a crucial role in the success of any organization or department, and their decisions can make or
unmake the goals of the organization they are leading. Thus, this narrative research aims to gather and compare best
practices based on various theories and leadership styles applicable in many contexts around the globe. Based on the
findings of the study, five conclusions emerged from the findings of this study on the contextual inquiry of
leadership practices of a global leader. The evidence for these conclusions came straight from one participant's
replies regarding her leadership experiences, trainings, obstacles, and workplace practices in a global setting. First
and foremost, a good leader must be a visionary leader who can influence the future. Second, because of the
leadership styles and theories used in decision-making, a global leader need experience, training, and qualifications
in order to effectively handle the challenges or problems that an international school face. Third, a good global
leader should recognize and respect her subordinates, weighing their contributions through adequate listening,
communication, and documentation in order to attain objectives. Fourth, being an educational leader who can
positively impact or perform leadership tasks is determined by leadership style on a case-by-case basis. The leader's
decision is based on the circumstances. Fifth, to effectively manage the organization, strong leadership begins with
humility, hard work, and a goal-oriented mindset. These pertinent details on global leadership practices, styles,
skills, and principles will serve as a road map for aspiring leaders to handle real-life problems and become effective
leaders in the workplace.

Keywords: narrative research, leadership practices, global leader, contextual inquiry,

contemporary practices

Introduction has strong leadership skills should also be in

Leaders perform crucial role in the success of any
organization or department, their decisions can make
or unmake the goals of the organization they are
leading. In the absence of effective leadership, no
organization can work efficiently. Leadership appears
to be a critical determinant of organizational
effectiveness (Huczynski, 1993).
Leadership is the potential of a person in the
developing process of motivating the others to
collaborate or to be satisfied with work practice, and
implement activities in lieu to a specified plan and
objective (Pattanarangsan, 2001). Leadership, by
nature, is the process of influencing the group under
appropriate situation and duration in order to stimulate
the personnel in using their willing attempt to achieve
their organizational objective (Sanguanwongwan,
2003). It could be seen that leadership would lead to a
valuable benefit for a group and organization. Being a
leader means an art of influencing other people so that
those people have their confidence towards the leader,
respect and collaborate with him with sincerity.
possession of certain characteristics, such as, passion,
consistency, trust, vision; for only leaders who own
these characteristics are able to build trust in
employees.
As aspiring leaders, the El 311 students conducts
virtual interview to learn more on how global leaders
perform their significant roles along the school’s
vision and philosophy that the leader adhere, their
experiences as global leader, the challenges they
encounter and how they addressed it, how the leader
cope up with the changes of various aspect in
leadership, the different leadership styles employed
and the strength and weaknesses of the leader in the
global context. This activity gives them a wider
concept with regards to leadership practices that can be
utilized as they face the world of leadership.
Research Objectives
The overall goal of this narrative research is to gather
and compare best practices based on various theories
and leadership styles that are applicable in many
contexts around the globe, specifically:

According to Jackson and Parry (2008), leadership is a
process where leaders use their skills and knowledge
to lead and bring a group of employees in the desired
direction that is relevant to their organization’s goals
and objectives. Additionally, an effective leader that
1. Identify exceptional educational global leader who
can share their experiences and journeys in various
management and leadership styles;
2. Develop sense of understanding on leadership
principles, challenges, skills and practices of a global

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Psych Educ, 2023, 8: 198-203, Document ID:2023 PEMJ640, doi:10.5281/zenodo.7819727, ISSN 2822-4353
Research Article
leader; and
3. Provide a road map from many ideas and
contemporary practices of global leader that future
leaders might adopt in the workplace.
Methodology
Through a contextual investigation, this study tries to
investigate and comprehend a global leader's
leadership practices and experiences. To document
these habits and experiences, this study used a
qualitative research approach and narrative research.
Furthermore, qualitative research was conducted to
allow researchers to investigate the phenomena from
the perspective of an individual's own leadership
practices as a global leader in various contexts and
circumstances. According to Bhandari (2020),
qualitative research “seeks to study things in their
natural surroundings in order to understand a
phenomenon in terms of the meaning humans assign to
it." This is why the researchers chose this research
design because the study's goal is to bring out the
respondent's natural and actual practices as a global
leader. The researchers try to comprehend and make
sense of events from the participant's point of view
(Merriam, 2002). The study is interpretive and
descriptive in character because it tries to analyze and
describe the experiences and behaviors of global
leader. As a result, for this research, a qualitative
research strategy is applicable. Moreover, narrative
study is used in educational research to investigate an
individual's experiences and narrative style was ideal
for this study since it allowed the researchers to dig
deeper into their own personal experiences as global
leader.
Narrative research entails a number of steps, including
gathering information through interviewing people and
recording their stories, reporting on their experiences,
and summarizing the relevance of those experiences in
a chronological order (Creswell, 2013). There are
many different ways to tell a story. The most well-
known methods are briefly discussed below.
a. A biographical approach is a narrative study in
which the researcher writes and documents the
experiences of persons throughout their lives.
b. An autoethnography approach involves the study
subject writing or recording her own experiences.
c. A life history method looks at a person's entire life
as a series of events.
d. An oral history approach collects personal accounts
Bullo et al.
of events from one or more people.
Despite the fact that there are numerous narrative
styles, their various aspects can be blended (Creswell,
2013), and this combination can encompass an
individual's complete life or specific life events
(Lieblich, Tuval-Mashiach, & Zilber, 1998). This
research used biographical approach to collect and
document own experiences and practices of a global
leader.
Sampling Method
Purposive sampling was the most appropriate choice
for the selection of the participants in this study
leadership practices of global leader in a contextual
inquiry. Furthermore, in qualitative research, the
sample is usually tailored to the research's needs and
the phenomenon under investigation, since it allows
researchers to establish underlying assumptions about
the setting in which participants live and choose
research samples based on inclusion criteria
(Crossman, 2020). For this research study one (1)
global leader was being interviewed about her
experiences and practices as a global leader.
Instrumentation
The researchers employed a structured interview
questionnaire to collect the responses from the
respondent. In this study, the major goal of employing
an interview questionnaire is to "understand the
significance of what the interviewees say" (McNmara,
2009). To bring out the respondent's leadership
practices as a global leader, the researchers create their
own open-ended questions "to give participants
additional possibilities for answering" (Creswell,
2012).
Data Analysis
Thematic analysis is a "technique for analyzing
qualitative data that comprises searching across a data
set to locate, interpret, and report repeating patterns"
that is utilized in this study (Braun & Clarke, 2006).
Thematic data analysis is a method that describe data
and offer easy interpretation in the process of choosing
codes and constructing themes (Aronson, 1995).
Results and Discussion
Vision/Philosophy
Q.1. Tell us about your school, the school’s vision,
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Research Article
and what techniques are you employing to attain it
especially during this time of pandemic?
The respondent was able to convey a theme of
preparation through blended learning armed with its
vision vis a vis the diversity at hand, following the
question. This is with the noted response such
as: “Our vision is to prepare a diverse body of
students to be in college, career and globally prepared
and ready… We use/employ blended online learning.
90% do prefer in person or face to face classes”
According to Hernandez et al. (2021), there is a certain
commonality amongst Colorado education wherein
students are indeed honed towards the levels of
education and onwards. This is true as academic
excellence and continuance is noted of great
significance.
Q.2. Tell us about the school’s Mission and
Philosophy.
The overarching theme that emerged through the
response of the participant is “holistic”. The mission
and philosophy of the school is noted to be well-
rounded with the response as the following: “Our
School Philosophy: A- Academic Excellence; B- Best
educational atmosphere of environment; and C-
Culturally diverse community.” To note, such a
finding is backed up by Colorado Global School
(2021) in their website.
Q.3. What are the guiding principles of the school?
The major theme that emerged from data is the term
“quality”. The school is centered upon delivering
quality service and education, following other factors,
to its students as a part of its principles. The following
is the response of the respondent: “The guiding
principle of the school is to value quality, understand
and effectively teach students and create an
atmosphere that encourage achievement and
inclusivity.” To note, such a finding is backed up by
Colorado Global School (2021) in their website.
Experience as a Leader
Q.1. What are your qualifications, trainings and
experiences that have prepared you to be a
productive and effective leader in your
o rga nizatio n?
Upon the assessment of the participant’s response, the
surfacing theme is that the respondent is indeed
Bullo et al.
credible and qualified to be considered as a productive
and effective leader. Such is proven through the
participant’s response: “With my experience, I earned
my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology at St. Paul’s
College in Quezon City. I started teaching in sixth
grader in elementary school after graduation. Then I
transferred as corporate officer in private
multinational company. And I moved to Thailand and
teach in Nursing in a prestigious university as
Professor after that I was assigned in Malaysia,
Singapore and then travelled to teach and speak and
came to USA and earned my Masters and do have
trainings in leadership and policies and become an
ESL Director in 12 different schools. For professional
growth I’m currently a Harvard law school student
aside from being the President of Colorado Global
Schools.” Lumen Learning (n.d.) supports this finding
as an indicator of a productive and effective leader in
general as the author mentioned that such a leader
should essentially be competent enough to lead in any
given organization.
Q.2. What were the most critical difficulties you
have encountered as an educational leader? What
strategies did you use to deal with these difficulties?
When asked about such a question, the respondent did
not fail to elaborate on the difficulties that were
common to her background or difficulties that were
common in general. The following is the partial and
concise feedback of the respondent: “1. Teachers and
staff evaluation (Human Resource); 2. Financial or
budgeting challenge; and 3. Time challenge”
Wolking (2017) supported this finding in his research
entitled “6 Critical Issues in Educational Leadership
and How to Address Them” with leadership
development challenge and maintenance challenge as
the most relevant results. The leadership development
can be synonymous to the first point as it deals with
the untapped potential of the human resource
population, while the maintenance challenge is evident
on the last two points.
Q.3. What leadership theories do you apply to be
able to attain your academic goals and objectives?
The respondent made it clear that she draws from the
transformational theory in leadership. This is also
relevant in the attainment of academic goals and
objectives. The following is the exact statement of the
respondent: “I’m a transformational leader. I believe
that transforming leader is a process of which leader
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Research Article
and followers have each other to advance to a higher
level of morale and motivation. I am enthusiastic and
passionate. With my passion and positive attitude, I
gain my goals and objectives. I have a clear vision that
I am able to articulate, I’m a visionary leader not only
on my career but also in personal life.” Cherry (2020)
gives a supplemental background on the phenomenon
by stating that transformational leadership necessitated
one to have a vivid vision of the relevant goals,
passion for the work, and the capacity to be a source of
energy and refreshment for the group.
Challenges Encountered and How they were
Addressed
Q.1.Describe an instance when you had to deal with
unmotivated or challenging employees. How did
you get them to change their minds or modify their
attitude?
When talking about dealing with challenging
employees, the respondent was keen upon conveying
that there is an overwhelming need to confront
complacency in their workplace. She states the
following: “The challenging employees in our
organizations are those teachers who are late on their
submission, absenteeism or some are even missing in
action… This year I encountered one teacher and one
staff from the Philippines they were about missing in
action for about 3 weeks. So, with that kind of
behavior we do have policies and rules.” Umoh
(2018) supplements this finding by providing a
background of what a problem employee is. In her
research, a problem employee renders poor job
performance. Following this, there is an affirmation
that this should not be left uncheck either by the leader
or the employee.
Change
Q.1. Describe a situation in which you had to bring
about change in your school. What steps did you
take to achieve your goal? What methods did you
use to achieve alignment? What was the final
result?
As is common to the given organization, inclusiveness
is a priority. In order to maintain its reputation, the
respondent had to take steps towards inclusiveness by
consulting the hierarchical chain and taking practical
steps as mentioned by the respondent: “1. I consulted
my board members and majority suggested to change
the name of the school- I always respect and valued
Bullo et al.
them because they are experienced educational
leaders as well.; and 2. I registered and amend the
name of school. I always listen, communicate,
understand and document. So far, the result is good it
is aligned now as per international standard.”
Context is always important, especially in the talks
regarding the leadership practices of a global leader.
Therefore, reaching for inclusive education is an
indicator of great leadership, as it’s part of the
objective of the organization. As the organization
provides a better quality of education (Open Society
Foundation, 2019), it signifies that the leader is also
effective in fulfilling her role.
Q.2. Describe a professional decision you wish you
could go back and change.
The response of the respondent on this specific
question is parallel and relevant to the challenge that
she faced being a leader, specifically on human
resource. Objective hiring is the main concern of the
respondent as a culture of patronage can be evident in
the organization. “The professional decision I wish I
could go back and change is being lenient in hiring
teachers and staff. We do have teachers and staff who
are my former classmates, my friends, my former
colleagues, relatives and of course because of that
level of relationship they would take advantage. If I
could go back, I want to have it stricter in selecting
teachers and staff with respect to their qualifications,
experience and competence.” Furthermore, hiring the
right employees is essential with regards to the course
of the organization. This is true as employees are the
backbone of the organization (Balance Point Team,
2016).
Leadership Style
Q.1. What qualities do you consider are the most
significant for a leader?
The respondent was keen upon answering the
afo rem en tion ed qu estion with the theme
“successful/effective”. This is to emphasize that the
qualities she considers most important for a leader is
being effective in what he/she does. The following
underlies what the term “effective” entails” “Passion,
courage, inspiration and with vision. Be inspirational
and be truthful and be the best. Successful school
leaders have great vision and ability to shape
tomorrow. Effective leader is willing to take risk to
reach goals of improvement. Successful leader is also
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passionate about teaching and learning and
commitment not only to the students, staff, teachers,
community but also to the world.” Ng (2018)
supplements the discussion by mentioning that
effective leadership is very essential because the rest
of the business resource relies on it in order to be
effective also.
Q.2. As far as your experience is concerned, what is
the best way to describe your leadership style? How
has it been put to the test, and in what scenarios?
The best way to describe the leadership of the
respondent, according to her, is anchored upon a case-
to-case basis. This also entails that the solution for
different problems is highly contextualized. The exact
response is as follows: “My leadership style depends
on the situation or problem I have encountered. Many
times, it was put in test however, all were overcome
and have been resolved in many ways.” Such a finding
draws upon the phenomenon of contextual leadership
which stems from the capacity to comprehend an ever-
changing environment and to work with such evolving
trends (Novak, n.d.).
Leadership Strengths, Weaknesses, and Advice
Q.1. What are your leadership strengths and
shortcomings, and what have you done to
strengthen your flaws?
To answer this question, the respondent was able to
identify that her strength is being a risk taker, while
her shortcoming is being permissive. This can be
drawn back to the phenomenon of her being a
transformational leader as there is an obvious
connection. Being people centered also denotes that
she would be inclined to draw support from people in
order to cope. Furthermore, Estyn (2018) affirms this
practice in the field of education. Her direct response
to the question is as follows: “My strength is being
courageous, in making decision I’m courageous and
I’m willing to take risk. My shortcoming and flaw I’m
too sweet and generous and people would take
advantage. To strengthen my flaws, I have directors
and school board members to support me.”
Q.2. Can you share pieces of advice and insights to
us as aspiring leaders on how to be a great
influencer to be able to attain our school vision?
When asked about her advice to aspiring leaders about
the phenomenon of being a great influencer towards
Bullo et al.
the attainment of the school vision, two themes stood
out: humility and hardwork. Campbell (2017) supports
this and claims that humility is the integral ingredient
towards extraordinary leadership, while hard work was
claimed by (Plenge, 2021) as one of the traits for
successful leadership. The following is the direct
response of the respondent: “1. Humility- I believe all
good things start with humility. With humility you have
that guidance, that confidence so that you will able to
attend your goal and vision.; and 2. Hard work and
always focus your goals and always remember to have
a worthwhile legacy to be remembered.”
Conclusion
Five conclusions emerged from the findings of this
study on the contextual inquiry of leadership practices
of a global leader. The evidence for these conclusions
came straight from one participant's replies regarding
her leadership experiences, trainings, obstacles, and
workplace practices in a global setting. First and
foremost, a good leader must be a visionary leader
who can influence the future. Second, because of the
leadership styles and theories used in decision-making,
a global leader need experiences, training, and
qualifications in order to effectively handle challenges
or problems that an international school face. Third, a
good global leader should recognize and respect her
subordinates, weighing their contributions through
adequate listening, communication, and documentation
in order to attain objectives. Fourth, being an
educational leader who can have a positive impact or
perform leadership tasks is determined by leadership
style on a case-by-case basis, and the leader's decision
is based on the circumstances. Fifth, in order to be
effective in managing the organization, strong
leadership begins with humility, hard work, and a
goal-oriented mindset. These pertinent details on
global leadership practices, styles, skills, and
principles will serve as a road map for aspiring leaders
to grasp how to handle real-life problems and on how
to become an effective leader in the workplace.
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