Community college department chairpersons have experienced a broadening span of control due to the restructuring tactics of community colleges and the approaches utilized in order to cope with decreased budgets and increased enrollments. Many community colleges used strategies which involved flattening the middle management section of the community college to cope with economic circumstances. Utilizing a multi-case study approach, the purpose of the study was to examine the insights of community college mid-level administrators experiencing a broadening span of control to inform leadership research and practice. Mid-level administrators shared their experiences with a broadening span of control by the supervision of multiple departments or the management of an increased number of faculty members. Department chairpersons were assigned to supervise and mentor increased numbers of faculty due to a movement from hiring full-time faculty to part-time faculty. They also experienced an increase in subsidiary responsibilities. Interviews with the department chairpersons' followers provided the subordinate's perspectives on the leadership practices of mid-level administrators. Positive Leadership Theory with an emphasis on Authentic Leadership and Transformational Leadership provide a context for the restructuring approaches of community colleges, the effects of broadening the span of control on department chairpersons and the leadership practices of department chairpersons. The study's thematic findings indicated deep commitment influences leadership styles; inspirational motivation was not a prevalent trait of the department chairs but authentic leadership was strongly portrayed; student outcomes were not affected by the size of the department chairperson's span of control; and the view of department chairpersons included the need for leadership training for those next in line for leadership responsibilities. Conclusions indicated the need for efficient and effective methods of serving students, using "go-to" people who are capable and willing to take on additional responsibilities, and the need for potential leaders to receive training and guidance. Four recommendations for community colleges administration is to use deeply committed department chairpersons as models for exemplary leadership, to showcase the effective and efficient leadership skills of these department chairpersons, to provide leadership training opportunities for potential department chairpersons, and to create opportunities for department chairpersons to openly share information. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]