ASSESSING 21ST CENTURY SCHOOL LEADERS’ QUALITIES AND COPING MECHANISMS IN A VOLATILITY, UNCERTAINTY, COMPLEXITY, AND AMBIGUITY (VUCA) ENVIRONMENT

This mixed-method research aimed to assess the qualities of school leaders and how they cope in the VUCA world induced by different circumstances. It also focused on the exemplification of the ADAPTIVE Leadership Behavior Model perceived by both public secondary school heads and teachers. This study was conducted in the Schools Division of Marinduque composed of nine (9) districts. Using a researcher-made survey questionnaire, quantitative data was obtained from the two sets of respondents, which included (30) school heads and 268 teacher respondents identified through stratified random sampling. An interview was also conducted among 10 school heads employing purposive sampling technique. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze quantitative data, including frequency, percentage, weighted mean, and Mann-Whitney U-test while qualitative data were analyzed using thematic patterns and coding. Results showed that school leaders highly demonstrated and put into practice/action the VUCA environment. School heads’ ADAPTIVE Leadership was exemplified to a great extent with performance output as the highest. School leaders sometimes experience forces/factors that affect their leadership particularly when it comes to readiness of the physical, mental, and social aspects. They often employ strategies proven to be effective in overcoming restraining factors. Meanwhile, there was no significant difference in the qualities of the school leaders in the VUCA environment as perceived by teachers and school heads. It is highly recommended that the ADAPTIVE Leadership Behavior Model was used in a VUCA environment.