Date of Award
4-1-2025
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Education (EdD)
Department
School of Education
First Advisor
Dane Joseph, PhD
Second Advisor
Sara Hahn-Huston, D.Ed.
Abstract
School leadership transitions can significantly impact organizational stability, stakeholder trust, and relational continuity. This research explored succession events in private Christian schools, examining how leaders transitioned into these roles and how they built relationships and trust during the transition process. The research used a qualitative narrative inquiry, interviewing leaders and learning from their lived experiences. The research was grounded in relational leadership theory and the ethics of care. This qualitative narrative inquiry examined the lived experiences of private Christian school leaders navigating succession events. Semistructured interviews with current and former school leaders provided insights into intentional strategies for maintaining trust, responsibility, and employee confidence during transitions. Findings contribute to leadership succession literature by identifying key relational dynamics that guide leaders in mitigating adverse effects and promoting organizational stability during the succession event. The study aimed to inform best practices for school leadership transitions, emphasizing ethical and relational approaches to trust.
Recommended Citation
Bose, Kayla M., "When Leaders Say Goodbye: A Narrative Inquiry into Navigating the Trust and Relational Dynamics During a Succession Event" (2025). Doctor of Education (EdD). 255.
https://digitalcommons.georgefox.edu/edd/255