How Leadership Styles Affect Faculty Motivation at Taif University

A study at Taif University in Saudi Arabia took a closer look at how faculty members view different leadership styles and how that affects their motivation. The researchers asked 74 teachers from the university to share their thoughts. They wanted to know if men and women saw leadership styles differently and how that affected their drive to work. The study found three key points. First, there are clear differences in how men and women at Taif University perceive leadership styles. Second, women tend to like transformational leadership—where leaders inspire and motivate their teams—more than men. On the other hand, men seem to prefer transactional leadership—where rewards are given for specific tasks.

The results show that women are more motivated when leaders inspire them, while men prefer a more straightforward, task-oriented approach. Understanding these differences can help leaders at Taif University better support their faculty. This not only boosts motivation but also contributes to the overall growth of the university, its students, and resources. It's important to note that these findings give a deeper insight into how gender can influence perceptions of leadership in an Islamic higher education setting. This can help university leaders tailor their approaches to better motivate their faculty.

Actions