<p> This dissertation is a qualitative inquiry that explores and pinpoints those exact communication strategies in leadership communication that enable higher educational leaders in sustaining their positions. This study was initiated with the intent to lay out the foundational literature on the content of communication that is utilized by higher educational leaders on a daily basis to achieve their departmental and institutional goals. For this purpose, communication was the core idea of focus, pertaining to which, verbal and non-verbal skills of leaders were explored. From the notion of communication and upon further investigation of communication literature, theory and leadership studies posit persuasion and trust as two prime components of leadership communication, without which, a leader&rsquo;s functionality would be greatly mitigated. Therefore, the three main constructs that this study examined are communication, persuasion, and trust. This study was strongly driven by the motive to explore the utilization of those specific communication strategies that enhance persuasion and trust among higher education leaders and their staff and colleagues. The method of inquiry was in-depth, face-to-face interview protocol that enabled the researcher to formulate carefully worded interview protocol questions that were meticulously sequenced and worded to extract the lived communicative experiences of its participants. From this point, thematic coding was utilized to code the responses of the participants and draw out the common themes that emerged across all interviews. The results of this research are comprehensive and contribute to the existing base on communication literature. This research brought forth the pivotal role of relational communication in facilitating leadership, the need for all leaders to make conscious efforts in choosing their verbal and non-verbal communication strategies meticulously in their daily professional lives, and the indispensable role of persuasion and trust in dynamic leadership communication.</p><p>

<p> Helping someone maximizes the interaction that takes place between individuals because it provides a purpose for communication. The unique experience of exchanging information and support also results in the gratification of being able to impact another person&rsquo;s life. Mentoring relationships support Buber&rsquo;s I-Thou relationship of respectfully helping others when the opportunity exists. The cost and benefits shared while learning from each other also expand on Homans&rsquo; (1961) social exchange theory that suggests that the purpose behind human behavior is based from the exchange between each other. With more motivation to engage in a collaborative relationship, aspiring leaders have advanced personally and professionally from the result of a relationship with a mentor. This project strives to bring awareness of the need to develop Latina leaders through the support of a mentoring relationship. After expanding from the applied research, this project engages the use of computer mediated communication (CMC) to educate and inspire future Latina leaders to be involved in a mentoring relationship to increase their presence in top leadership roles. Project website: Mentoring Latina Leaders: Establishing and nourishing a positive mentoring relationship www.jresende1.wix.com/mentoringlatinas </p>

Thesis (Ph.D.) - University of Queensland, 2004. / Includes bibliography.