HOW DO PUBLIC SECTOR WORKERS IN THE ARAB SECTOR IN ISRAEL PERCEIVE THE ROLE OF THEIR MANAGERS AS LEADERS, COACHES, AND CLIMATE SETTERS IN SHAPING THE FUTURE OF THEIR ORGANIZATIONS?

Said Massarwa

Abstract


The study explores public sector workers in the Arab sector in Israel's perspectives on their managers as leaders, coaches and climate setters with the intent of understanding the leadership attributes they value, to what extent managers use coaching approaches effectively, and the extent to which their leadership has an impact on organizational climate and outcomes. A qualitative approach was taken, and semi-structured interviews were conducted with 40 public sector workers from the Arab Sector in Israel, with data thematically analyzed. The findings highlighted participants´ preference for managers who were emotionally intelligent, supportive, and focused on development, while alternative practices such as authoritarian and laissez-faire leadership styles were discouraged. The participants identified the importance of culturally authentic leadership, finding a balance of empathy, authority and coaching to increase employee motivation, trust and organizational outcomes. Additionally, the findings promote the use of leadership development programs that focus on enhancing emotional intelligence and culturally aligned leadership practices, and highlight the value of climate setters and culturally spacious and relational leadership frameworks in managing the public sector. These aspects provide theoretical and empirical contributions to leadership practice in hybrid public sector settings.


JEL: M12; H83; M14

 

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public sector leadership, Arab sector in Israel, coaching leadership, organizational climate, emotional intelligence, employee perception, culturally responsive leadership

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References


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DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.46827/ejefr.v9i5.2085

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