Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to assess the practices and challenges in exercising
transformational leadership in Arsi University. The study also explored the practice, challenges
and strategies to be used to enhance the practice of transformational leadership. Descriptive
research design along with mixed method was employed. A total of 344 respondents (34 and 310
leaders and staff respectively were participated in the study. Leaders and staff were selected
through purposive and systematic random sampling respectively. Quantitative and qualitative
data were collected, through questionnaires, from respondents (both leaders and staff), and an
interview from leaders was also part of data collection for the study. Using SPSS version 22,
quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequency, percentage, and
inferential statistics chi square while the qualitative data were analyzed using content analysis
approach. Finding of the study revealed that the transformational leadership is rarely or not all
practiced. leaders were not inspired towards vision achievement, consider the needs of the staff
and not loyal and respect the staff. On the other hand, leaders face such challenges of how to
inspire towards vision achievement, enhancing staff job satisfaction and building trust amongst
the staff. It was thus concluded that leaders were not involve themselves in inspirational
motivation, idealized influence ,intellectual stimulation and individual consideration components
of transformational leadership. Based on these findings, Arsi university leaders, should have to
focus on leadership development, inspiring and vision communication, enhancing staff job
satisfaction and performing in a ways that staff build trust towards them