GUIDELINES FOR DEVELOPING BUDDHIST LEADERSHIP OF SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS IN KHLONG LUANG DISTRICT, PATHUM THANI PROVINCE

Abstract

This research article aimed to 1) study the leadership development status of school administrators in Khlong Luang District, Pathum Thani Province, 2) study the methods for developing Buddhist leadership of school administrators in Khlong Luang District, Pathum Thani Province, and 3) propose guidelines for developing Buddhist leadership of school administrators in Khlong Luang District, Pathum Thani Province. This research was a mixed-method research, consisting of quantitative research using questionnaires with a sample group of 285 teachers in schools under the Office of the Primary Education Area, Pathum Thani Area 1. Data were analyzed using basic statistics, namely frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation. Qualitative research interviewed 15 key informants and analyzed data using content analysis.

The research results found that: 1) The leadership development status of school administrators in Khlong Luang District, Pathum Thani Province in all 4 areas, overall, had high opinions, ranked from most to least, namely, intellectual characteristics, behavioral characteristics, physical characteristics, and emotional characteristics, respectively. 2) Methods for developing Buddhist leadership of school administrators in Khlong Luang District, Pathum Thani Province consist of (1) Emotional characteristics: A good administrator must be able to effectively control their emotions, be patient, tolerant, and cope well with work stress, be fair, and empathize with others. (2) Physical characteristics: Although it was a matter of external appearance, it was something that administrators should not overlook. A good administrator should have a good personality, take care of their health at all times, and dress appropriately and neatly. (3) Behavioral characteristics: Behavioral characteristics were what show the professionalism of the administrator. A good administrator must be honest, responsible, fair, empathetic, and work with others as a team. They could communicate effectively. (4) Intellectual characteristics: A good administrator must have a deep understanding of the work they were responsible for, be able to analyze problems and situations systematically, make decisions quickly and efficiently, solve problems creatively, having initiative, and a clear vision that could lead the organization to the goal. 3) Guidelines for developing Buddhist leadership of school administrators in Khlong Luang District, Pathum Thani Province were as follows: (1) A good leader must have a vision (a leader with a broad vision). The administrator must see the big picture, adhere to justice and neutrality, and not favor any side in order to build trust and confidence for all parties involved, focusing on creating unity. The administrator must give importance to creating unity, seeing conflict as an opportunity for development and enhance understanding among each other, in order to lead to effective work together. (2) A good leader must have a vision (a leader with knowledge and ability). The administrator must have knowledge and understanding of the nature of conflict, be able to analyze the causes and forms of conflict correctly, in order to choose an appropriate solution. Should have knowledge of psychology to understand individual behavior, having good communication skills, such as: listening attentively, using appropriate language, and expressing empathy to reduce tension and create understanding among each other, be creative in solving problems, and not stick to the old methods. (3) A good leader must have a good human relation
(a leader with good interpersonal skills). The administrator must access and listen to the opinions of all parties involved in the conflict equally, build trust and good relationships with everyone, act as a mediator to coordinate benefits, find common ground, and create a balance between different needs.