LEADERSHIP PERSPECTIVES OF FILIPINO SCHOOL HEADS IN DIVERSE INTERNATIONAL CONTEXTS: A MULTIPLE CASE STUDY

Culturally adaptive leadership strategies highlight the effectiveness of Filipino leaders in multicultural educational settings, especially in diverse workplaces where there is a greater need for effective communication, trust, and cultural sensitivity. Although multicultural leadership has been the subject of much research, existing studies emphasize challenges rather than exploring how Filipino leaders manage conflict and build positive relationships across cultures. In response, this study aims to explore their lived experiences and gather insights into effective leadership practices in international educational settings. Adopting a qualitative multiple-case study approach, this research examined the leadership perspectives of Filipino school leaders operating in multicultural educational contexts in Thailand, China, and the UK. The findings indicate that Filipino school leaders manifest effective leadership in multicultural education through cultural sensitivity, inclusive collaboration, and trust. Notably, this group can lead diverse teams and navigate various cultural contexts by drawing upon cultural and emotional intelligence principles, thereby instilling a spirit of respect, communication, and co-creative solutions. Keywords: Filipino School Heads, Multicultural Leadership, Cultural Intelligence, International Education