Addressing Challenges in Practicing Authentic Leadership: Insights from Principals of High-Performing Secondary Schools in Guangdong, China

Jiewen Xie; Jamilah binti Ahmad; Xiaoyang Lu

doi:10.30828/real.1765243

Addressing Challenges in Practicing Authentic Leadership: Insights from Principals of High-Performing Secondary Schools in Guangdong, China

Abstract

This study examines how authentic leadership is practiced by principals of high-performing secondary schools in Guangdong Province, China. Drawing on four-dimensional authentic leadership theory—self-awareness, relational transparency, balanced processing, and internalized moral perspective—this study investigates the difficulties and culturally responsive strategies school leaders adopt as they confront these challenges. A qualitative multiple case study was conducted; data were gathered through semi-structured interviews, observation and document analysis in four schools. The findings illustrate that authentic leadership in China is rooted in structural constraints and Confucian culture. Principals reported that hierarchical roadblocks, lack of teacher voice, clashing stakeholder expectations, and the conflict between moral principles and administrative constraints hindered their efforts. However, they negotiated these limitations using approaches such as reflective discussion, open decision making, inclusive feedback, and positive ethical modelling. The study suggests that authentic leadership in non-Western contexts is not an absolute trait but a socially situated process that is contingent on one's cultural understanding and ethical skill. These results extend authentic leadership theory to developing greater understanding for an Asian context and have practical implications for leadership development in Confucian-heritage educational settings.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Leadership in Education

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Jiewen Xie ^*
0009-0002-7517-7399
Malaysia

Jamilah binti Ahmad
0000-0002-3366-5506
Malaysia

Xiaoyang Lu
0009-0000-3490-6618
China

Publication Date

March 30, 2026

Submission Date

August 16, 2025

Acceptance Date

February 28, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 11 Number: 1

DOI

https://doi.org/10.30828/real.1765243

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA35WD72XP

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Xie, J., Ahmad, J., & Lu, X. (2026). Addressing Challenges in Practicing Authentic Leadership: Insights from Principals of High-Performing Secondary Schools in Guangdong, China. Research in Educational Administration and Leadership, 11(1), 198-235. https://doi.org/10.30828/real.1765243

AMA

1.Xie J, Ahmad J, Lu X. Addressing Challenges in Practicing Authentic Leadership: Insights from Principals of High-Performing Secondary Schools in Guangdong, China. REAL. 2026;11(1):198-235. doi:10.30828/real.1765243

Chicago

Xie, Jiewen, Jamilah binti Ahmad, and Xiaoyang Lu. 2026. “Addressing Challenges in Practicing Authentic Leadership: Insights from Principals of High-Performing Secondary Schools in Guangdong, China”. Research in Educational Administration and Leadership 11 (1): 198-235. https://doi.org/10.30828/real.1765243.

EndNote

Xie J, Ahmad J, Lu X (March 1, 2026) Addressing Challenges in Practicing Authentic Leadership: Insights from Principals of High-Performing Secondary Schools in Guangdong, China. Research in Educational Administration and Leadership 11 1 198–235.

IEEE

[1]J. Xie, J. Ahmad, and X. Lu, “Addressing Challenges in Practicing Authentic Leadership: Insights from Principals of High-Performing Secondary Schools in Guangdong, China”, REAL, vol. 11, no. 1, pp. 198–235, Mar. 2026, doi: 10.30828/real.1765243.

ISNAD

Xie, Jiewen - Ahmad, Jamilah binti - Lu, Xiaoyang. “Addressing Challenges in Practicing Authentic Leadership: Insights from Principals of High-Performing Secondary Schools in Guangdong, China”. Research in Educational Administration and Leadership 11/1 (March 1, 2026): 198-235. https://doi.org/10.30828/real.1765243.

JAMA

1.Xie J, Ahmad J, Lu X. Addressing Challenges in Practicing Authentic Leadership: Insights from Principals of High-Performing Secondary Schools in Guangdong, China. REAL. 2026;11:198–235.

MLA

Xie, Jiewen, et al. “Addressing Challenges in Practicing Authentic Leadership: Insights from Principals of High-Performing Secondary Schools in Guangdong, China”. Research in Educational Administration and Leadership, vol. 11, no. 1, Mar. 2026, pp. 198-35, doi:10.30828/real.1765243.

Vancouver

1.Jiewen Xie, Jamilah binti Ahmad, Xiaoyang Lu. Addressing Challenges in Practicing Authentic Leadership: Insights from Principals of High-Performing Secondary Schools in Guangdong, China. REAL. 2026 Mar. 1;11(1):198-235. doi:10.30828/real.1765243