Exploring the Influence of Crisis Management, Principal Traits, School Culture, and External Support on the Principal’s Leadership Style in Times of Crisis: A Structural Equation Model

The leadership of school principals was challenged, resulting in many transformations and adjustments during the time of the global health crisis. This study aimed to determine the best-fit model for a principal’s leadership style in times of crisis. There were four exogenous variables, namely: crisis management, principal traits, school culture, and external support; and one endogenous variable which is the principal’s leadership style. Results showed that the levels of these four exogenous variables were high, which means that these variables were much observed. Results also revealed that the four exogenous variables have a significant relationship to the principal’s leadership style with external support having the strongest relationship. The fit indices of the structural equation model (SEM) together with the dimensions revealed that the 5-factor model is the best-fit model as it passed all the criteria for goodness of fit. It is recommended that the 5-factor model of the principal’s leadership style be utilized during the program enhancement of the school heads to improve their leadership style, and even apply it among the schools in Davao Region and beyond.