Influence of Idealized Influence on Institutional Performance of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Colleges in Nairobi Metropolis, Kenya

Leadership plays a pivotal role in shaping institutional performance and productivity. The leadership style adopted by Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions considerably influences culture, personnel, and learners’ morale, and overall outcomes. The core mission of TVET institutes in Kenya aligns with the 4th Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) of striving to develop a skilled workforce. However, challenges such as malpractice, inadequate strategic planning, and low personnel and learners’ morale necessitate an examination of the Influence of Idealized Influence, a key component of transformational leadership, on institutional performance. Guided by the Transformational Leadership Theory, Balanced Scorecard Theory, and Leader-Member Exchange Theory, this study adopted a pragmatist research philosophy and employed a convergent parallel mixedmethod design. From a population of 5,496 leaders across 687 TVET institutions, a sample of 50 student leaders, 45 principals, 267 heads of department (HODs), and 5 county education directors was selected using a multi-stage sampling technique. Data collection involved questionnaires, interviews, and focus group discussions. Instrument reliability was confirmed with a Cronbach’s alpha of .932. Quantitative analysis included descriptive and inferential statistics, while qualitative data were analyzed thematically. Findings revealed a significant positive correlation between idealized influence and institutional performance (r = .399, p = 0.000 < 0.01). Leaders who instill confidence (M = 4.17), uphold ethical values (M = 4.27), and prioritize institutional goals over personal interests (M = 4.17) foster strong ethical foundations and improved performance. Leaders who practice Idealized influence articulate the institute's vision and mission successfully and in a motivating way (M = 4.2). These insights provide a basis for policymakers to develop frameworks that enhance institutional performance through transformational leadership practices in TVET colleges in Nairobi Metropolis, Kenya.