Main Article Content

Raad Mahdi Salih raad.mahdi@uoanbar.edu.iq
Samer Nissan Ahmed Adulimy thanks86.tt@gmail.com
Mohammed Abed Salih mohammed.abed84@uoanbar.edu.iq


Abstract

This Research aims to know the role of authentic leadership in its dimensions in (self-awareness, relational transparency, internalized moral perspective, balanced processing) in achieving high performance in its dimensions in (Management Quality, Openness and Action Orientation, Continuous Improvement and Renewal, Workforce quality) in the Directorate of Anbar Education, as one of the vital organizations providing educational services with a direct impact on community development. The research problem was formulated with a main question, the most prominent of which is examining the adoption level of inclusive leadership style among leaders within the organization under Research. Researchers utilized a questionnaire as the data collection tool, represented by leaders in the Directorate of Anbar Education. Out of 83 distributed questionnaires, according to the Purposive sample, 74 were retrieved, with 65 deemed valid for statistical analysis after excluding nine damaged ones. Statistical analysis of the Research data was conducted using SPSS v27 and Amos v27 software. The findings revealed a strong positive relationship between authentic leadership and its constituent dimensions and high performance. Furthermore, the Research confirmed a statistically significant effect of authentic leadership in high performance. Based on these results, recommendations were formulated, emphasizing the continued adoption of inclusive leadership practices optimally, given their positive implications for enhancing organizational performance in general.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Article Details

How to Cite
Raad Mahdi Salih, Samer Nissan Ahmed Adulimy, & Mohammed Abed Salih. (2025). The Role of Authentic Leadership in Achieving High Performance: A Field Study of the Opinions of a Sample of Leaders in the General Directorate of Education in Al-Anbar Governorate. Tikrit Journal of Administrative and Economic Sciences, 21(71 part 2), 20–45. https://doi.org/10.25130/tjaes.21.71.2.2
Section
Articles

References

Akhtar, M. W., Aslam, M. K., Huo, C., Akbar, M., Afzal, M. U., & Rafiq, M. H. (2023). The interplay of authentic leadership and social capital on team leader performance in public and private sector universities. Kybernetes, 52(6), 2045–2060. https://doi.org/10.1108/K-06-2021-0446

Alazmi, A. A., & Al-Mahdy, Y. F. H. (2022). Principal authentic leadership and teacher engagement in Kuwait’s educational reform context. Educational Management Administration and Leadership, 50(3), 392–412.

https://doi.org/10.1177/1741143220957339

Alkaabi, O., Babenko-Mould, Y., Kerr, M., Cranley, L., & Aboshaiqah, A. (2025). Testing the psychometric properties of the Authentic Leadership Questionnaire among nurses in Saudi Arabia. Leadership in Health Services. https://doi.org/10.1108/LHS-05-2024-0049

Arias Rodriguez, I., Muniz, J., & Munyon, T. P. (2024). Authentic leadership and motivation as moderators of the organizational politics–knowledge sharing relationship: A test amidst crisis. BRQ Business Research Quarterly, 27(1), 91–102. https://doi.org/10.1177/23409444231222504

Artinger, F. M., Marx-Fleck, S., Junker, N. M., Gigerenzer, G., Artinger, S., & van Dick, R. (2025). Coping with uncertainty: The interaction of psychological safety and authentic leadership in their effects on defensive decision making. Journal of Business Research, 190. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2025.115240

Bagorogoza, J. K., Herik, J. van den, Waal, A. de, & Walle, B. van de. (2024). The mediating effect of knowledge management in the relationship between the HPO framework and performance. International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management, 73(4), 1167–1186. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJPPM-03-2022-0155

Baquero, A. (2023). Authentic Leadership, Employee Work Engagement, Trust in the Leader, and Workplace Well-Being: A Moderated Mediation Model. Psychology Research and Behavior Management, 16, 1403–1424.

https://doi.org/10.2147/PRBM.S407672

Berkovich, I., & Gueta, B. (2022). Teachers’ authentic leadership and psychological need satisfaction climate in second chance programmes: The moderating role of teachers’ gender. Educational Management Administration and Leadership, 50(6), 995–1012. https://doi.org/10.1177/1741143220957340

Born, D. H., Correa, M., & George, B. (2025). Authentic leadership across levels: Unlocking global potential. Organizational Dynamics.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.orgdyn.2025.101143

(Brian) Joo, B. K., Park, S., & Lee, S. (2021). Personal growth initiative: the effects of person–organization fit, work empowerment and authentic leadership. International Journal of Manpower, 42(3), 502–517. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJM-02-2020-0056

Changar, M., & Sesen, H. (2024). Relationship between authentic leadership, service quality, organizational commitment and work engagement: testing a moderated mediation model. Leadership and Organization Development Journal.

https://doi.org/10.1108/LODJ-12-2023-0683

Changar, M., & Sesen, H. (2025). Relationship between authentic leadership, service quality, organizational commitment and work engagement: testing a moderated mediation model. Leadership and Organization Development Journal.

https://doi.org/10.1108/LODJ-12-2023-0683

Chaudhary, R., & Panda, C. (2019). Examining Self-Monitoring and Neuroticism as Predictors and Self-Efficacy as an Outcome of Authentic Leadership. Organization Management Journal, 16(3), 179–192. https://doi.org/10.1080/15416518.2019.1628697

Corriveau, A. M. (2020). Developing authentic leadership as a starting point to responsible management: A Canadian university case study. International Journal of Management Education, 18(1). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijme.2020.100364

Dartey-Baah, K., Issahaku, L., & Akwetey-Siaw, B. (2024). Authentic leadership and employee engagement: the mediating role of employee work environment. Industrial and Commercial Training. https://doi.org/10.1108/ICT-06-2024-0045

de Waal, A., Burrell, J., Drake, S., Sampa, C., & Mulimbika, T. (2023). How to stay high-performing: developing organizational grit. Measuring Business Excellence, 27(1), 25–39. https://doi.org/10.1108/MBE-08-2021-0104

de Waal, A., & Chipeta, K. (2015). Influence of culture on priority-setting of high performance activities. Journal of Strategy and Management, 8(1), 64–86. https://doi.org/10.1108/JSMA-05-2014-0034

de Waal, A., Duong, H., & Ton, V. (2009). High performance in Vietnam: The case of the Vietnamese banking industry. Journal of Transnational Management, 14(3), 179–201. https://doi.org/10.1080/15475770903120196

De Waal, A., Patel, S., & De Jong, A. (2023). Socialis Series in Social Science Creating Social Value Using The High-Performance Organization Framework. Socialis Series in Social Science, 4, 59–74. https://doi.org/10.20319/socv4.5974

de Waal, A., Patel, S., & Jong, A. de. (2023). CREATING SOCIAL VALUE USING THE HIGH-PERFORMANCE ORGANISATION FRAMEWORK. Socialis Series in Social Science, 4, 59–74. https://doi.org/10.20319/socv4.5974

Dirik, H. F., & Seren Intepeler, S. (2024). An authentic leadership training programme to increase nurse empowerment and patient safety: A quasi-experimental study. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 80(4), 1417–1428. https://doi.org/10.1111/jan.15926

Do, T. T., & Mai, N. K. (2020). High-performance organization: a literature review. In Journal of Strategy and Management (Vol. 13, Issue 2, pp. 297–309). Emerald Group Holdings Ltd. https://doi.org/10.1108/JSMA-11-2019-0198

Du, J., Ma, E., Lin, X., & Wang, Y. C. (2022). Authentic Leadership and Engaging Employees: A Moderated Mediation Model of Leader–Member Exchange and Power Distance. Cornell Hospitality Quarterly, 63(4), 479–489.

https://doi.org/10.1177/19389655211033540

Fernandes, A. A. R., & Taba, I. M. (2019). Welding technology as the moderation variable in the relationships between government policy and quality of human resources and workforce competitiveness. Journal of Science and Technology Policy Management, 10(1), 58–72. https://doi.org/10.1108/JSTPM-05-2017-0019

Frömmer, D., Hollnagel, G., Franke-Bartholdt, L., Strobel, A., & Wegge, J. (2021). Linking authentic leadership, moral voice and silence—A serial mediation model comprising follower constructive cognition and moral efficacy. German Journal of Human Resource Management, 35(4), 436–466.

https://doi.org/10.1177/2397002220984440

Gardner, W. L., Karam, E. P., Alvesson, M., & Einola, K. (2021). Authentic leadership theory: The case for and against. Leadership Quarterly, 32(6).

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.leaqua.2021.101495

Gharib, M., Al-Ansi, A. M., Al-Sharji, Y., Banu, M., & Alsatouf, M. (2025). Unlocking employee performance: the role of organizational memory and knowledge withholding in Oman’s telecommunications sector. Future Business Journal, 11(1), 111. https://doi.org/10.1186/s43093-025-00542-6

Ghufran Ali Khan, H., Anwar Khan, M., Iftikhar Ali, M., Salem, S., Rashid, S., & Zahur, H. (2022a). Does authentic leadership influences performance of individuals in presence of trust and leader member exchange: an evidence from health care sector. Cogent Business and Management, 9(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/23311975.2022.2119539

Ghufran Ali Khan, H., Anwar Khan, M., Iftikhar Ali, M., Salem, S., Rashid, S., & Zahur, H. (2022b). Does authentic leadership influences performance of individuals in presence of trust and leader member exchange: an evidence from health care sector. Cogent Business and Management, 9(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/23311975.2022.2119539

González-Cánovas, A., Trillo, A., Jiménez-Barrionuevo, M. M., & Bretones, F. D. (2024). Effects of Authentic Leadership on Intrapreneurial Behaviour: A Study in the Service Sector of Southern Spain. Behavioral Sciences, 14(8). https://doi.org/10.3390/bs14080705

Ha, J. C., & Lee, J. W. (2022). Realization of a Sustainable High-Performance Organization through Procedural Justice: The Dual Mediating Role of Organizational Trust and Organizational Commitment. Sustainability (Switzerland), 14(3). https://doi.org/10.3390/su14031259

Helmuth, C. A., Cole, M. S., & Vendette, S. (2024). Actions are authentic, but are leaders? A reconceptualization of authenticity and leadership practice. In Journal of Organizational Behavior (Vol. 45, Issue 1, pp. 119–135). John Wiley and Sons Ltd. https://doi.org/10.1002/job.2723

Hoang, G., Luu, T. T., & Yang, M. (2024). A Systematic Literature Review of Authentic Leadership in Tourism and Hospitality: A Call for Future Research. Cornell Hospitality Quarterly. https://doi.org/10.1177/19389655241241471

Honyenuga, B. Q., Tuninga, R. S. J., & Ghijsen, P. W. T. (2014). High Performance Organizations Framework as a Predictor of Firm Performance in the Insurance Industry in Ghana. Journal of Transnational Management, 19(4), 261–278.

https://doi.org/10.1080/15475778.2014.960786

Honyenuga, B. Q., Tuninga, R. S., & WTh Ghijsen, P. (2016). Knowledge management and organisational performance: the mediating role of the HPO framework. In Int. J. Technology Transfer and Commercialisation (Vol. 14, Issue 1).

Hsu, W. L., Silalahi, A. D. K., Eunike, I. J., & Phuong, D. T. T. (2024a). Fostering creativity and performance through authentic leadership in educational institutions. Cogent Social Sciences, 10(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/23311886.2024.2425774

Hsu, W. L., Silalahi, A. D. K., Eunike, I. J., & Phuong, D. T. T. (2024b). Fostering creativity and performance through authentic leadership in educational institutions. Cogent Social Sciences, 10(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/23311886.2024.2425774

Ipinazar, A., Zarrabeitia, E., Belver, R. M. R., & Martinez-De-alegría, I. (2021). Organizational culture transformation model: Towards a high performance organization. Journal of Industrial Engineering and Management, 14(1), 25–44. https://doi.org/10.3926/jiem.3288

Jun, K., Hu, Z., & Lee, J. (2025). Unlocking the relationship between authentic leadership and organizational citizenship behavior: the key roles of organizational support and identification. Management Research Review. https://doi.org/10.1108/MRR-09-2023-0662

Kalimullah, Arshad, M. A., Khan, Q., & Khan, S. (2019a). Empirical analysis of HPO framework in public sector organizations of Pakistan. International Journal of Public Leadership, 15(2), 78–93. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJPL-06-2018-0030

Kalimullah, Arshad, M. A., Khan, Q., & Khan, S. (2019b). Empirical analysis of HPO framework in public sector organizations of Pakistan. International Journal of Public Leadership, 15(2), 78–93. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJPL-06-2018-0030

Khalid, K. (2024). Traversing the Pathway from Authentic Leadership to Extra-Role Performance: Decoding the Mediating Effects of Knowledge-Sharing Behavior and Employee Creativity International Journal of Organizational Leadership. In International Journal of Organizational Leadership (Vol. 13).

Khan, K., Khan, Q., Jamil, S. H., & Akbar, S. (2024). A study on high performance organization framework and organization performance: lens of dynamic capability theory. Cogent Business and Management, 11(1).

https://doi.org/10.1080/23311975.2023.2285415

Kim, J. S., Park, J. G., & Park, H. J. (2022). Linking Authentic Leadership with Employee Initiative Behavior and Task Performance: The Mediating Role of Emotional Sharing and Communication Satisfaction. SAGE Open, 12(1).

https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440221086657

Kyambade, M., Bartazary, D., Namatovu, A., & Tushabe, M. (2024). Authentic leadership and performance of public servants in Tanzania context: the mediation role of motivation. International Journal of Public Leadership. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJPL-03-2024-0031

Kyei-Poku, I., & Yang, Y. (Jason). (2020). Authentic leadership and citizenship behavior: A path through fairness and belongingness. International Journal of Organization Theory and Behavior, 23(3), 245–258. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJOTB-08-2018-0091

Liang, S. G. (2017). Linking leader authentic personality to employee voice behaviour: a multilevel mediation model of authentic leadership development. European Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology, 26(3), 434–443.

https://doi.org/10.1080/1359432X.2017.1293656

Lin, Q. (2024). How does authentic leadership drive hotel employees to innovate? A cross-level influencing process. International Journal of Hospitality Management, 123. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhm.2024.103890

Macamo, A. I., & Klasmeier, K. N. (2024). Authentic leadership–for better and for worse? Leader well-being and inconsistency as moderating factors in the relation between daily authentic leadership and follower well-being. European Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1080/1359432X.2024.2361511

Ortiz-Gómez, M., Molina-Sánchez, H., Ariza-Montes, A., & de los Ríos-Berjillos, A. (2022). Servant Leadership and Authentic Leadership as Job Resources for Achieving Workers’ Subjective Well-Being Among Organizations Based on Values. Psychology Research and Behavior Management, 15, 2621–2638.

https://doi.org/10.2147/PRBM.S371300

Pattanasing, K., Aujirapongpan, S., & Srimai, S. (2019). Dynamic capabilities and high performance organization of hotel business: Empirical investigation into world class tourism destination. Tourism and Hospitality Management, 25(2), 377–401. https://doi.org/10.20867/thm.25.2.8

Schoofs, L. K., Maunz, L. A., & Glaser, J. (2024). Multi-level effects of authentic leadership on self-actualization at work – the mediating roles of authentic followership and basic psychological need satisfaction. Current Psychology, 43(16), 14494–14505. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-023-05480-6

Songkajorn, Y., Aujirapongpan, S., Jiraphanumes, K., & Pattanasing, K. (2022). Organizational Strategic Intuition for High Performance: The Role of Knowledge-Based Dynamic Capabilities and Digital Transformation. Journal of Open Innovation: Technology, Market, and Complexity, 8(3). https://doi.org/10.3390/joitmc8030117

Srivastava, A., & Dixit, S. (2024). Direct and indirect effects of authentic leadership and gender on occupational well-being: mediating role of perceived barriers to career advancement. Journal of Management Development. https://doi.org/10.1108/JMD-11-2023-0340

Storberg-Walker, J., & Gardiner, R. A. (2017). Authentic Leadership in HRD—Identity Matters! Critical Explorations on Leading Authentically. Advances in Developing Human Resources, 19(4), 350–361. https://doi.org/10.1177/1523422317728731

Sumanth, J. J., Černe, M., Hannah, S. T., & Škerlavaj, M. (2023). Fueling the Creative Spark: How Authentic Leadership and LMX Foster Employees’ Proactive Orientation and Creativity. Journal of Leadership and Organizational Studies, 30(3), 356–374. https://doi.org/10.1177/15480518231180064

To, U. T., & Fernando, M. S. (Marrisa). (2019). An Initial Assessment of a Logistics Company’s Potential as A High Performing Organization (HPO): A Case Study of Saigonship Danang Joint Stock Company, Vietnam. ABAC ODI JOURNAL Vision. Action. Outcome, 6(2), 121-132. Retrieved from

https://assumptionjournal.au.edu/index.php/odijournal/article/view/3864

Umrani, W. A., Rafique, N., Kundi, Y., Ahmed, U., & Abi Abdallah, R. (2025). Impact of authentic leadership on employees’ creative work behavior: a mediated moderated model. Journal of Management Development. https://doi.org/10.1108/JMD-09-2024-0293

Wang, Z., Guan, C., & Cai, S. (2024). How authentic leadership affects green creativity: the role of self-reflection and psychological capital. Chinese Management Studies, 18(1), 71–90. https://doi.org/10.1108/CMS-10-2021-0437

Wang, Z., Yao, Y., & Cai, S. (2025a). Authentic leadership and employee expediency: a moderated mediation framework. Journal of Managerial Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1108/JMP-11-2023-0682

Wang, Z., Yao, Y., & Cai, S. (2025b). Authentic leadership and employee expediency: a moderated mediation framework. Journal of Managerial Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1108/JMP-11-2023-0682

Wiewiora, A., & Kowalkiewicz, A. (2019). The role of authentic assessment in developing authentic leadership identity and competencies. Assessment and Evaluation in Higher Education, 44(3), 415–430. https://doi.org/10.1080/02602938.2018.1516730

Xanthopoulou, S., Tsiotras, G., Kafetzopoulos, D., & Kessopoulou, E. (2023). Investigating the Relationships among High-Performance Organizations, Knowledge-Management Best Practices, and Innovation: Evidence from the Greek Public Sector. Sustainability (Switzerland), 15(18). https://doi.org/10.3390/su151813810

Xu, Z., & Yang, F. (2024). The dual-level effects of authentic leadership on teacher wellbeing: the mediating role of psychological availability. Personnel Review, 53(4), 929–943. https://doi.org/10.1108/PR-11-2021-0792

Yamak, O. U., & Eyupoglu, S. Z. (2021). Authentic Leadership and Service Innovative Behavior: Mediating Role of Proactive Personality. SAGE Open, 11(1). https://doi.org/10.1177/2158244021989629

Yen, C. H., Han, T. C., & Wen, Y. S. (2024). Authentic leadership and organizational citizenship behaviors: How do harmonious passion and obsessive passion mediate? Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Insights, 7(4), 1871–1889. https://doi.org/10.1108/JHTI-02-2023-0100

Zbierowski, P. (2019). Positive deviance as a mediator in the relationship between high performance indicators and entrepreneurial orientation. Entrepreneurial Business and Economics Review, 7(2), 218–233. https://doi.org/10.15678/EBER.2019.070212

Zhang, S., Bowers, A. J., & Mao, Y. (2021). Authentic leadership and teachers’ voice behaviour: The mediating role of psychological empowerment and moderating role of interpersonal trust. Educational Management Administration and Leadership, 49(5), 768–785. https://doi.org/10.1177/1741143220915925