Factors Affecting Trust in Female and Male School Leaders

This research aims to determine the factors that affect teachers’ trust in male and female leaders. The study employed a qualitative research design. The data were collected with interview technique. In this regard, 20 teachers were interviewed. The participants were determined with purposeful sampling method. The data were analyzed with inductive analysis method. Results revealed that the participant teachers trust different behaviors or characteristics of their male or female leaders. In general, teachers trust in their female leaders’ more because of their objective, idealistic, dedicated behaviors, and also their motherly, sensitive and compassionate personality. On the other hand, teachers trust in their male leaders as they are fair, trustworthy, frank, competence, more rational and strong communicators. While male leaders are believed to take initiative and implement the laws and regulations more strictly, female administrators are more interested in the administration profession, behave meticulously and work devotedly. It is recommended that school administrators should create a climate of objectivity and trust in school.