Exploring the Role of a Principal to Influence the School Culture, Teacher Performance and Community: A Case Study of Bhutanese School

Abstract

The role of an individual is vital in a group or organization as their actions influence group’s direction and culture. This study employed a mixed method approach with surveys and open ended questions to explore the role of a principal in influencing the school culture, teacher performance, and community. The study was conducted in one of the schools in Bhutan. The findings revealed a major gap between the principal’s self-rating and the ratings of the ten teacher participants.  It was found that the creation of supportive school climate, maintaining of strong community relationships and uplifting of teachers’ performance are negatively impacted due to disparity between the leader and the subordinates. Though, qualitative feedback highlighted the principal’s strengths in collaboration, it was identified areas for improvement in decision-making and empowering staff. Thus, this study concludes that a leader’s effectiveness is not only based on their actions but also on their ability to bridge the gap between their self-perception and their staff’s reality.