Leadership Styles and Their Impact on Vocational School Performance in Developing Entrepreneurial Skills

This study examines the impact of leadership styles on vocational school performance in developing entrepreneurial skills, focusing on the relevance of leadership in fostering an entrepreneurial mindset among students. A qualitative approach using a literature review methodology was employed to analyze existing research on leadership styles and their influence on vocational education outcomes. A total of 10 scholarly articles were selected through a systematic screening process, focusing on transformational, transactional, and autocratic leadership styles. The review reveals that transformational leadership is the most effective in promoting both vocational school performance and the development of entrepreneurial competencies. Transformational leaders inspire creativity, innovation, and risk-taking, all essential elements for cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset in vocational students. In contrast, transactional and autocratic leadership styles, while useful in structured environments, were found to be less effective in fostering innovation and entrepreneurial thinking. The findings indicate that for vocational schools, particularly in developing countries, adopting transformational leadership can significantly enhance students’ entrepreneurial skills, which are crucial for addressing economic challenges and fostering growth. The study concludes by recommending future research to explore the long-term impacts of leadership on entrepreneurial outcomes and to investigate the role of contextual factors in the effectiveness of leadership in vocational education.