LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES: RISK AND CONFLICT MANAGEMENT CHALLENGES TO HIGHER EDUCATION IN A VOLATILE, UNCERTAIN, COMPLEX, AND AMBIGUOUS (VUCA) ENVIRONMENT

Abstract

The undulating and uncertain occurrences that challenge contemporary and future educational operations have created a surge for investigating if modern education leaders possess the required leadership competencies that may empower them to function effectively and efficiently in a world of precariousness. Subsequently, the ceaseless gravity of the challenges such as environmental volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity (VUCA) has reshaped where and how education activities should be done. Likewise, the challenges of leaders' risk and conflict management of internal and external threats and conflicts have adversely impacted how teachers perform their pedagogical practices. Besides, the recent novel COVID-19 pandemic which has dictatorially forced education practices out of its traditional context and students’ learning trajectories, there is a need to explore how these precipitating environmental and social dichotomy trammeled school institutional cultural values, and students’ diversity challenges are perceived by educators in higher education environments. Accordingly, the author adopted the quantitative method, descriptive research design, and random sampling techniques as the global positioning system to route the study. The study findings showed that the leadership competency risk and conflict management got a very high overall mean score. The implication of the study findings is that higher education institutions leaders should recognize that having abstract knowledge of a cluster of leadership skills is insufficient in leading today and future higher education institutions in a world steamed up by VUCA challenges and pandemic crises simultaneously. Consequently, synergizing and rethinking the demands of teachers' profesional teaching enhancement, and parental engagement may help position leaders in fighting the present challenges of volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous economic, social, cultural, and political instability impacting higher education institutions management and sustainability.