Ayalew Shibeshi

A Study of Leadership Styles of Department Heads: the Case of Jimma University, Ethiopia Ayalew Shibeshi

This study was designed to assess the leadership styles of department heads at Jimma University. The study was further designed to describe the department heads' leadership styles as they varied according to their level of education, experience and disciplinary background. The population comprised the entire population of department heads and instructors working in the university. In order to investigate the leadership styles of department heads, Hersey and Blanchard's Leadership Effectiveness and Adaptability Description Questionnaire was used. Besides, the demographic data sheet used to collect information on respondents' level of education, experience, disciplinary background and others was also used. The Leader Effectiveness and Adaptability Description Questionnaire consisted of two parts: The LEAD-Self and the LEAD- Other. The LEAD-Self collected perceptions from department heads as to their own leadership styles, while the LEAD-Other collected perceptions from instructors as to their department heads' leadership styles.