Dr E. E. Emanghe, E. C. Madukwe, B. I. Nwanunu & M. M. Ogbeche
Abstract
This study examined principals’ social intelligence and leadership role performance in public secondary schools in Abia State, Nigeria. Correlational research design was adopted for the study. Seven hundred and sixty five (765) principals and vice principals were used as sample for this study. An instrument tagged “Principals’ Social Intelligence and Leadership Role Performance Questionnaire (PSILRPQ)” was used for data collection. Pearson Product Moment Correlation analysis and Multiple Regression analysis were used for data analysis. The results of the analysis revealed that principals’ emotional maturity, situational skills and empathy for subordinate have significant relationship with leadership role performance in Abia State. Based on these findings, it was concluded that in order to improve the level of decision-making, boost staff morale towards high motivation in the school, enhance the level of instructional supervision and maintain high level of school discipline in public secondary schools in Abia State, there was need for principals to possess high level of social intelligence. It was recommended among others that principals should be encouraged to developed emotional maturity skills, given adequate training on situational skills for effective leadership roles performance in secondary schools in Abia State.