DEVELOPING SOFT SKILLS OF EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION LEADERS IN THE ERA OF DIGITALIZATION AS A PREREQUISITE FOR EFFECTIVE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Abstract

The aim of the work is to investigate the possibility of implementing “soft skills” in the practice of the head of an educational institution as a prerequisite for effective interaction with the territorial community in the context of digitalization. The work used theoretical methods - analysis, synthesis, systematization, grouping and classification of scientific sources on management, emotional intelligence, digitalization of education; content analysis of international and national documents (UNESCO, UNICEF, European Commission, Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine) for the period 2015–2025. Participants in the empirical study were not involved, since the work is of a theoretical and analytical nature. Data collection was carried out through a systematic review of scientific publications (from the Web of Science, Scopus, Google Scholar databases) and analysis of regulatory legal acts. Data analysis was carried out using thematic coding, comparative analysis and structural and functional modeling methods. As a result, a multifactorial personality structure of the head of an educational institution was determined, which combines innate personal and social qualities with acquired managerial competencies. It was proven that digital technologies act as a moderator of the development of such soft skills as communication, creativity, teamwork, and digital literacy. Mechanisms of self-motivation and external stimulation of managers (in particular, through contractual KPIs) for continuous professional self-development were proposed. Successful cases of educational leaders confirm that a high level of soft skills is a determining factor in efficiency in the conditions of digitalization and interaction with the community.