Transformational Leadership Behaviors and Achieving Styles of Fraternity and Sorority Leaders

BROWN, DANITA M. , Ph.D., June 2007, Higher Education TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP BEHAVIORS AND ACHIEVING STYLES OF FRATERNITY AND SORORITY LEADERS (127 pp.) Director of Dissertation: Marc Cutright The purpose of this study was to assess aspects, behaviors and characteristics of transformational and transactional leadership among fraternity and sorority leaders. This research examined the relationship between their selfdescribed leadership behaviors and those perceived by their followers. The relationship between their transformational leadership behaviors and their achieving styles was investigated, and achieving style differences based on gender was also examined. During the winter quarter of 2007, each fraternity and sorority president who was in office during the fall quarter of 2006 at Ohio University was asked to respond to statements on the Student Leadership Practices Inventory (Student LPI) and the online version of the L-BL Achieving Styles Inventory (ASI). Additionally, four members from each president’s chapter or council were systematically selected and asked to complete the Student LPI-Observer form on behalf of the president. Finally, to complement the researcher’s statistical analysis, four separate focus group interview sessions were convened. Thirty fraternity and sorority presidents were eligible to participate; 16 were males and 14 were females. Thirteen males and 12 females returned completed surveys. Results were analyzed using independent t-tests to look at differences between individual groups. Correlations between each of the Student LPI and ASI scales were also run. Fraternity and sorority presidents who were in office during Fall Quarter 2006 used transformational leadership styles. Fraternity and sorority chapter/council members depicted their presidents as leaders who display and use transformational leadership behaviors and characteristics. Both males and females preferred to employ the same leadership behaviors and styles when leading their organization. Male and female presidents prefer to utilize different ASI achieving styles to accomplish their goals. Approved: _____________________________________________________________ Marc Cutright Associate Professor of Higher Education ACKNOWLEDGMENTS “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Philippians 4:13, King James Version). I wish to express my sincere gratitude to my primary advisor and chair of my committee, Dr. Marc Cutright. Your support and encouragement will not be forgotten. Many thanks to the other members of my committee, Dr. David Descutner, Dr. A. Michael Williford, and Dr. Peter Mather, for their unwavering support and advice throughout this process. I will forever be indebted to my parents, Harold and Eleta Brown, Sr., who are the rock of my foundation, my loudest cheerleaders, and the source of my strength; my grandparents, Joshua (deceased) and Sleda Brown, and John and Lurene Lilly, who are my prayer warriors, my teachers, and my heroes. Thanks for sharing years of love, listening, and resources, however, I am most appreciative of your patience and the many sacrifices that you have made along the way. Many thanks to my brothers, Harold Jr. and Michael, and sister-in-law, Rosanna, who constantly support me and my endeavors. To my nephews and niece, Dorian, Michael Jr., Andrew, and Sydney, utilize your Godgiven talents and recognize that knowledge and education are powerful. To my aunts and uncles, thanks for being there when I need you the most. I am also indebted to Dr. Dafina Stewart, Dr. Anne Lombard, Dr. Stacey Brinkley, Dr. Gwendolyn Christine Taylor, Dr. Terrence Hogan, Dr. Linda Deanna, Dr. Francine Childs, and Dr. Sarah Marshall. Thanks for sharing your wisdom and knowledge, and for being an inspiration to me. I have been blessed to have a strong network of friends, family, and extended family that has supported and uplifted me throughout this process. I am thankful for all you who have prophetically called me “Doctor. ” A very special thanks to: Chinyere Ekechi, Felicia Esters, Nicole Long, Tahira Habeeb-Butler, Leslie Delerme, Shanna Cohn, Charlita Diggs-Randle, Timeka ThomasRashid, J. Malcolm Smith, Jennifer Headrick, Laquetta Cortner, Adonis Bolden, Leonard Remmer, Ann and Jim Addington, Michael and Allison Sprinkle, Jim and Heather Hintz, Lamar Hylton, Julie Spring, Laura Ulmer, Paul Ritter, Shaunte Rouse, Charissa Gardner, Adrienne Conley, Jonathan Connary, Mickey Hart, Kevin Smith, Chad Barnhardt, Lureen Bailey, and the Divastating ladies of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. Special thanks to the: Ohio University College of Education Graduate Study and Research Fund, Division of Student Affairs, Department of Campus Life, participants in the study, Interfraternity Council, National Pan-Hellenic Council of OU, Women’s Panhellenic Association, Multicultural Greek Council, Kent City (OH) Public School district, New Zion Baptist Church, and Spelman Chapel A.M.E. Church. This accomplishment is a testament to love, dedication, faith, perseverance, and devotion. This is not solely my accomplishment, but the accomplishment of those who have walked before me, those who walk beside me, and those who will walk behind me. vii TABLE OF CONTENTS Page ABSTRACT . III ACKNOWLEDGMENTS.V LIST OF TABLES . IX CHAPTER ONE.