Beyond transformational, transactional, and laissez-faire leadership

The purpose of this study was to focus on Federal TRIO Program Directors who are located across the US and U.S. territorial possessions and their self-reported leadership styles. In particular, this study sought to examine leadership styles in conjunction to gender, race/ethnicity, and years of experience. Twenty-one specific research hypotheses were developed via the study's five research questions. General conclusions point to Transformational leadership style as the style of leadership most commonly associated with the sample population. Furthermore, significance in additional variables such as gender and years of professional experience was not demonstrated in leadership style. No differences in race/ethnicity and leadership style were found. The implications of the findings provide insight into the type of leaders Federal TRIO Program Directors are. Future studies would enhance the literature base, assisting researchers who wish to study further leadership as it relates to Federal TRIO Program Directors.