Date of Award
Spring 2-11-2025
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Education (EdD)
Department
Organizational Leadership
First Advisor
George Giokaris, EdD
Second Advisor
George Sziraki, EdD
Third Advisor
Bradley Tooker, EdD
Fourth Advisor
Stephanie A. Herrera, EdD
Abstract
Purpose: This mixed methods study investigated how influential veteran active-duty United States Air Force (USAF) leaders leverage clarity, connection, and communication to build high-performance teams (HPTs). Qualitative data provided in-depth insights into leadership practices in diverse operational settings, while quantitative data assessed the perceived importance of these competencies.
Methodology: This mixed methods approach combined qualitative and quantitative methods that allowed for a comprehensive understanding of how veteran active-duty USAF leaders build HPTs (Creswell & Creswell, 2018; McMillan & Schumacher, 2010; Patten & Newhart, 2018). The qualitative data obtained through interviews of eight studyparticipants details and context on how veteran active-duty USAF leaders implemented practices in different operational settings. Quantitative data was obtained from participants’ completion of a Likert-style survey associated with specific leadership practices and perceived team performance.
Findings: Findings revealed that effective leadership in the USAF hinges on clarity, connection, and communication.Clear communication is essential, encompassing hierarchical directives, well-defined roles, and aligned organizational goals. Building strong connections within the team through camaraderie, shared purpose, and inclusive environments is crucial. Effective communication requires open feedback channels, clear expectations, and active listening. These competencies are interdependent, and a deficiency in any one can significantly hinder team performance.
Conclusions: Effective team performance hinges on clear hierarchical communication, well-defined roles, and aligned organizational goals. Building strong connections through personalized support and fostering a shared sense of purpose is crucial, aligning with transformational leadership principles. Effective communication requires open feedback channels, active listening, and a growth mindset. The study emphasizes the interdependence of these core competencies, highlighting that neglecting anyone can significantly hinder team effectiveness.
Recommendations: Several avenues for future exploration include investigating how to create supportive environments that align individual development with organizational goals, exploring the measurement of leadership using “credit score” while considering ethical implications, investigating the role of “healthy friction” in diverse teams, replicating the study with more female representation, exploring compensation strategies that leverage teamwork to address individual weaknesses, and finally, investigating the role of nonverbal communication in situational awareness for leaders to enhance communication and prevent conflicts.
Recommended Citation
Daos, Yves, "Leadership Practices for High-Performance Teams: Insights from Veteran Active-Duty United States Air Force Leaders Using a Conceptual Framework for Team Development" (2025). Dissertations. 596.
https://digitalcommons.umassglobal.edu/edd_dissertations/596
