Leadership styles and interpersonal communication abilities of pre-service science teachers: the context of inquiry-based activity

Abstract

The article deals with the relationship between leadership styles and mersonal communication of pre-service science teachers. This relationship is alysed in the context of training pre-service science teachers in inquiry-based learning activity. The leadership styles are analysed according to the Multifactor leadership model. Three leadership styles are distinguished on the basis of this model: transformational leadership, transactional leadership and laisser-faire (passive) leadership. Leadership is related to interpersonal communication. On the one hand, the leader communicates with his followers; on the other hand, the leader is exposed to make impact of his followers. The inquiry-based activity in pre-service science teachers' education is based on the interpersonal communication. Hie results show that the most typical leadership of pre-service science teachers is the transactional one. Transformational leadership is less frequent. Correlation analysis reveals correlations between different interpersonal communication abilities (initiating relationships, disclosing personal information, asserting displeasure with others, providing emotional support and advice and managing interpersonal conflict) and leadership styles.