RELATIONAL LEADERSHIP: A BUILDING BLOCK FOR ETHICAL TRANSFORMATION AND TOXICITY REMEDY IN HIGHER EDUCATION

Saltiel K.C. Mataboge
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Saltiel K.C. Mataboge: Dept Education Leadership and Management, University of South Africa, South Africa

Social Sciences and Education Research Review, 2025, vol. 12, issue 1, 330-340

Abstract: The objective of this conceptual paper is to explore relational leadership as a fundamental building block for ethical transformation and a remedy for toxicity in higher education institutions. It mitigates the contention that leadership approaches profoundly shape institutional culture, influencing inclusivity, decision-making, and ethical governance. The study is guided by the critical question: How does relational leadership foster ethical transformation while addressing toxic leadership dynamics in higher education? A qualitative approach is adopted, utilizing an intensive literature review of scholarly books and peer-reviewed articles as primary data sources. An interpretive paradigm is selected to analyse leadership dynamics, emphasizing the role of trust, collaboration, and ethical engagement in mitigating toxic behaviors such as authoritarianism, favouritism, and exclusionary practices. Findings reveal that relational leadership fosters accountability, transparency, and stakeholder empowerment, which are essential for institutional transformation. However, the study highlights challenges such as resistance to change and entrenched toxic leadership cultures. The study contributes to the existing body of knowledge by advocating for relational leadership as a sustainable solution for ethical governance. Nonetheless, limitations include reliance on secondary data, necessitating empirical validation through case studies and field research.

Keywords: Relational leadership; Ethical transformation; Toxicity mitigation; Higher education governance; Institutional culture (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: M12 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:edt:jsserr:v:12:y:2025:i:1:p:330-340

DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.15804570

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