Resilient leadership in female principals

A case study of a Chinese female school leader

Bibliographic Data

ID22165256
AuthorsHongjie Yin (Yangzhou University, corresponding author), Jia Liu (0000-0002-9209-1215, Yangzhou University, corresponding author), Liu Jia (0009-0006-2698-6543, Yangzhou University)
Year2026
Volume10
Publication date2026-01-09
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueFrontiers in Education (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2504-284X • E-ISSN: 2504-284X
PublisherFrontiers Media SA (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3389/feduc.2025.1718038
OpenAlexW7119475982
LanguageEN
References cited28

The educational transformation in China has introduced unprecedented complexity and uncertainty into school organizations, presenting unique challenges and opportunities for educational leadership. This qualitative study single-case study explores the antecedents and development of resilient leadership by examining the case of a female vice-principal at a higher vocational college, utilizing three in-depth interviews supplemented by a 2-months period of naturalistic observation. The findings underscore the importance of individual traits, past successes, and external factors in nurturing resilient leadership among female principals. By integrating the trait and behavioral perspectives of resilience theory, female resilient leadership can be categorized into three domains in Chinese contexts: perceptiveness and planning, resistance and adaptability, and inspiration and growth potential. Drawing on resource conservation theory, the study delineates the development of female resilient leadership in schools and provides recommendations for enhancing leadership practice

China · Educational leadership · Leadership development · Leadership style · Psychological resilience · Qualitative research · Trait · Vocational education · Job Satisfaction and Organizational Behavior · Resilience and Mental Health · Teacher Education and Leadership Studies

Tools

Open DOIOpen Access