Influence Of Principals‘ Age On Conflict Management Styles In Secondary Schools In Kisumu County, Kenya

Abstract

Conflict management skills are a fundamental aspect of leadership effectiveness and likeability of principals has become of greater importance. If an individual is perceived to manage conflict in an appropriate and effective manner within an organizational setting, that individual is also perceived to be more competent in general. The purpose of this study was to investigate influence of principals‘ age on conflict management styles. The study adopted a descriptive survey methodology. The Thomas Kilmann conflict management instrument was used to collect data. The study found that there is no particular age that most frequently use a particular style although up to age 45, principals use avoiding more, and between age 46-56 they tend to use compromising. The recommendation for policy makers was that there is a need to have in service training so as to empower principals on conflict management styles. The study suggested possible areas for further research.