LEADERSHIP STYLES OF CURRENT EXTENSION LEADERS

Abstract

This study sought to describe the demographics and leadership styles of current Extension leaders, the individuals responsible for the day-to-day operations of Extension in each state, and to explain the influence of demographic variables on leadership styles. Of the 47 participants, 70.2% were male. The majority (80.9%) reported their ethnicity as white. The mean age of the participants was 54.5 years. The mean tenure in Extension was 22 years and the mean tenure in Extension leadership positions was 11.9 years. Over three-quarters (76.6%) of participants held a doctor of philosophy degree. Sixty percent held their highest degree in a social science discipline. Participants had previous experience in 3.19 leadership courses and/or workshops. Participants reported engaging in behaviors related to transformational leadership more often than those related to transactional or laissez-faire leadership. The best model for explaining transformational leadership style explained 13% of the variance and included ethnicity, tenure in Extension, and previous leadership development total score. The best model for explaining transactional leadership style explained 28% of the variance and included highest degree held, tenure in Extension, and previous leadership development total score. No model significantly explained the influence of demographics on laissez-faire leadership.