The Unseen Struggle: School Leaders and Their Daily Battles

School leaders in Türkiye are facing a silent crisis. They are constantly juggling emotions, which is taking a toll on their well-being. This isn't just about long hours or tough decisions. It's about the invisible work of managing feelings, both their own and those of others. This emotional labor is linked to a serious problem: burnout. Researchers wanted to understand this better. They looked at how emotional labor affects school administrators. They also considered job-related stress and the support these leaders receive. The findings were eye-opening. Emotional labor isn't just a part of the job. It's a significant factor in burnout.But why does this happen? The study used a model called Job-Demand-Control-Support. This model looks at the demands of the job, the control leaders have, and the support they receive. It's clear that when the demands are high and support is low, burnout becomes a real risk. This isn't just about feeling tired or overwhelmed. Burnout can have serious consequences. It can affect a leader's health, their job performance, and even their personal life. The study highlights the need for better support systems. School leaders need more resources and understanding to cope with the emotional demands of their roles. It's time to recognize the unseen struggles of school leaders. They are not just managing schools. They are managing emotions, stress, and expectations. And they need help to do it effectively.