Leading in times of crisis: evidence of digital transformational leadership among Arab female educational leaders

During the pandemic, educational leaders had to suddenly deal with unprecedented changes that teaching and learning environment has undergone. In times of crisis, leaders’ control of emotions, the quality of relationship between them and the team, and the value congruence play a significant role. In the Arab world, however, cultural, national and sociological contexts largely impact female leaders’ values, beliefs and behaviors. Hence, it is significant to explore these leaders’ behaviors and practices in times of crisis, the factors that helped them cope with the sudden changes and lead digitally, and the extent that the dimensions of the transformational leadership style had on their performance. Through eight semi-structured interviews, results revealed practices of Arab female educational digital transformational leadership that helped them maintain their own and their organization’s performance during the Covid-19 pandemic. These practices include, building relationships, motivating and recognizing team efforts, open communication, adaptability, a strong sense of emotional intelligence and self-control. While these leaders consider themselves democratic and transformational leaders, an emergent theme showed that they implemented the changes as a coercive activity. This study suggests for policy-makers to form strategies and policies that would increase teachers’ leadership skills in preparation for potential leadership positions.