Ways of improving the performance of female secondary school leaders in the light of digital and innovative leadership skills: an applied research in secondary schools in Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia

This research will examine the leadership competencies of secondary school principals that exist in the current 21st century as seen by assistant principals and school leadership supervisors. In this research, the applicable survey methodology was descriptive, and questionnaires and interviews were implemented in the collection of data. The respondents included 57 assistant principals, 6 school-based leadership supervisors, and 15 domain specialists. The research indicates that current school principals have an average performance score of 4 out of 5. Responses are consistent across the different job positions surveyed. The study identifies several requirements for improvement, including providing financial opportunities, licensing school administration, and training leaders to use the Saudi Digital Library. It can be suggested to train female employees in strategic planning and comparison with the past review, rendering higher-order thinking skills among leaders, such as critical and creative thinking and problem solving.