Leadership Practices of Local Government Units in The Province of Sulu Vis-À-Vis Actual and Preferred

Abstract

This descriptive-correlational study assesses the actual and preferred leadership practices among Local Government Units (LGUs) in Sulu during the Fiscal Year 2023. With 200 respondents, it employed frequency counts and percentage, weighted mean and standard deviation, t-test for independent samples and One-way ANOVA, this study reveals the following findings: 1) Out of 200 respondents, most are female employees, are within 30 years old & below of age bracket, have 10 years & below of work experiences, mostly have bachelor’s degree, and the majority have permanent status of appointment. 2) Employee respondents are contented with the actual leadership practices of LGUs in Sulu in terms of their ability to lead by example and motivate employees by setting the example through direct involvement in the organization’s mission. 3) Employee-respondents preferred that there must be a high extent of leadership practices of LGUs in Sulu in terms of their ability to lead by example, and motivate employees by setting the example through direct involvement in the organization’s mission. 4) Generally, variables such as gender, age, length of service, educational attainment, and status of appointment do significantly intervene in ways how employee-respondents assess the extent of actual leadership practices of LGUs in Sulu. 5) Generally, variables gender, age, and educational attainment do significantly intervene in ways how employee-respondents assess the extent of preferred leadership practices of LGUs in Sulu. 6) The extent of actual and preferred leadership practices of LGUs in Sulu are equal. The extent of respondents’ assessment of the preferred leadership practices of LGUs in Sulu does not exceed the extent of actual leadership practices. 7) With high extent of actual and preferred leadership practices of LHUs in Sulu, this particular study tends to support the Kouzes and Posner (2002a) Transformational Theory. This theoretical model is consisting of five categories, such as: Model the Way (interactive), Inspire a Shared Vision (visionary), Challenge the Process (creative), Enable Others to Act (empowering), and Encourage the Heart (passionate).