Leadership Transformation: Integrating Feminine and Masculine Excellence in an Era of Inclusivity

Abstract

Leadership is a key element in determining the success of higher education governance. This study aims to analyze the implementation of feminine and masculine leadership styles in five higher education institutions in Gorontalo. The feminine approach, which emphasizes collaboration, inclusive communication, and empathy, is compared to the masculine approach which focuses more on assertiveness, risk-taking, and results-oriented. This study uses a qualitative method with in-depth interviews with institutional leaders to explore the implementation of these leadership styles in higher education governance. The results show that the feminine leadership style is effective in creating an inclusive work environment, increasing motivation, and encouraging innovation, while the masculine style provides advantages in strategic decision-making and managing institutional challenges. The combination of these two styles has been proven to increase the effectiveness of higher education governance as a whole. In conclusion, the synergy between feminine and masculine leadership styles is an optimal strategy in responding to the needs of higher education institutions in a dynamic era. This study provides a theoretical contribution in strengthening the understanding of the relevance and flexibility of leadership styles in the context of higher education.