Abstract
Purpose. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore female superintendents' perceptions of how the COVID-19 pandemic has shaped their leadership style.Conceptual Framework. The conceptual frameworks for this phenomenological study included elements from transformational leadership theory and crisis management leadership.Methodology. A phenomenological research design was utilized to explore female superintendents' lived experience with the school closures caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The researcher interviewed a purposeful sampling of 6 (N = 6) female superintendents of Southern California school districts or county offices of education who held their position during a portion or all of the COVID-19 pandemic. The researcher followed Patton's (2002) steps for phenomenological analysis of the data: epoche, phenomenological reduction, bracketing, textural portrayal, and structural synthesis. The researcher used the criteria from Lincoln and Guba (1985) to establish validity and reliability: credibility, transferability, dependability, and confirmability.Findings and Conclusion. The review of transcripts led to significant statements that were coded under 12 initial codes. From these codes, the research derived 4 themes represented by 11 significant statements and formulated meanings. These 4 themes were evidenced by statements from the participants. The overall essence of the female superintendents' experience during the COVID-19 pandemic was described. The results of the study yielded four key themes supported by the literature and the data collected: shared decision-making to create unity; having a purposeful and strategic communication plan; adapting leadership style to manage a crisis; adapting leadership style to manage a crisis; and adapting leadership style to manage a crisis.Recommendations. The COVID-19 pandemic caused disruption to California schools, but the participants exemplified, by positively managing the crisis, why more women superintendents are needed in our school districts and county offices of education. Future research should be conducted to complete a comparative study that uses both male and female superintendents as participants to expose the similarities and differences related to the effect of the pandemic on leadership style. Additionally, once the COVID-19 pandemic has concluded, a study with a participant list tiered by years of experience might yield more insight into the effects of the pandemic on leadership style.