International Journal of Management Studies ISSN(Print) 2249-0302 ISSN (Online)2231-2528 http://www.researchersworld.com/ijms/ Vol.–VI, Special Issue 1, February 2019 [78] DOI : 10.18843/ijms/v6si1/10 DOI URL :http://dx.doi.org/10.18843/ijms/v6si1/10 A Study of Academic Leaders’ Percieved Leardership Effectiveness: Evidence from Ethiopian Public Universities Kefyalew Waktole Abetu, PhD Scholar, Wollega University, University School of Organizational Leadership, Ethiopia. Dr. Ritu Lehal, Professor, Punjabi University, University School of Applied Management, Patiala, India. ABSTRACT An effective leadership account for the majority of organizational success. While, ineffective leadership contributes to an organizational problems and failures. In today’s more complex and dynamic nature of organizations including higher learning institutions setting, effective leadership is perceived as a vital issue in provision of high quality human capital formation that the nations demands to achieve its desired development goals. Hence, the purpose of this quantitative research was designed to study the level of perceived leadership effectiveness of academic leaders within the context of Ethiopian public universities. To achieve the objective, the study sought to investigate the three leadership outcomes: effectiveness, satisfaction and extra effort. The study employed descriptive survey design with quantitative research approach. By using proportionate random sampling technique (n=118) academic leaders and (n=354) academic staff of public universities were approached for data collection by using both leaders’ self and followers’ rater reported version of MLQ-5x to assess the perceived leadership outcomes. The data collected was analyzed using descriptive statistics by using IBM -SPSS version 24.The findings of the study revealed that, academic leaders’ are found to be moderately effective in their leadership in higher learning institutions. The results of study has also an implication on social change that it expands leadership development programs that influences and improves a leadership effectiveness to address the demand for quality leaders in higher learning institutions for the benefit of Ethiopian universities as well as the society. Practically, the results of this study would rise an effective leaders who are proactive align with an institution’s vision with the societal expectations, thus improves the higher educations’ public perceptions as well. Keywords: Leadership, Leadership Outcome, Leadership Effectiveness, Public University. INTRODUCTION: Organizations across the nations regardless of their type are at high competitive edge entangled with the economic, social, political and regulatory mandates, and environmental forces. Such changing work environments of high competition requires a productive work force with an effective leadership (Northouse, P. G. 2016). In line with this, in such situation, an organizations and leaders in order to achieve their desired goals, they need to be creative and put more effort into better understanding, influence, managing, and leading their employees’ behaviors effectively. Bass and Bass (2008) believed effective leaders possess the ability to motivate, encourage, develop, and empower followers in order to fulfill organizational goals and objectives. An effective leadership is at the heart of organizations including higher learning institutions for not only competition rather for their survival and existence as well (Northouse, P. G. 2016 and Bryman, 2009). It is an effective leadership that make a difference on individuals, groups and organizational success (Hogan, Curphy and Hogan 1994). Conversely, the literature evidenced that ineffective and poor leadership leads organizations