Introduction A great deal of literature in leadership studies focuses on “what” to teach in regard to leadership (Komives, Lucas, & McMahon, 2013; Northouse, 2014), “how” to effectively teach leadership (Collinson & Tourish, 2015; Rosch & Anthony, 2012), the educators “who” teach leadership (Jenkins & Owens, 2016; Seemiller & Priest, 2015), and even “where” leadership…
Introduction Higher education has long framed leadership preparation as an important educational outcome. Within the past three decades, however, scholars and practitioners have paid increasingly focused attention on understanding particular mechanisms, environments, and experiences by which students develop their leadership attributes. Nevertheless, leadership education is a relatively new discipline, experiencing the growing pains of establishing…
Introduction Career preparation through education and training is a core purpose of college. Historically, college students aspired to a specific job, selected the associated major to provide the needed specialized education and training, found a job in that field after graduation, and stayed within that field until retirement. However, as the economy has shifted from…
Introduction From academic programs to co-curricular and extra-curricular leadership development programs, students have a wide choice of leadership development opportunities. Student affairs practitioners have increased flexibility in providing leadership education because they do not face the limitations of classroom availability, course enrollment management, or faculty teaching rotations that curricular leadership programs face. Consequently, the number…
Seeking Feedback An essential component in the learning process is feedback, being able to both know the consequences of one’s efforts and actions and, presumably, to make changes or improvements accordingly. While there is a long-standing tradition, and abundant research, on the importance of feedback-seeking behavior in the management literature (Anseel, Beatty, Shen, Lievens, &…
Introduction Participation in leadership development programs during college can cultivate the development of leadership capacity among college students. The National Association of Colleges and Employers identifies leadership skills as one of the top career competencies that employers look for in new employees (NACE, 2018). Many colleges and universities help students develop these essential leadership skills…
Introduction Institutions of higher education have long considered the development of the next generation of leaders among their core responsibilities (Astin & Astin, 2000; Hurtado, 2007; Thelin, 2011). In recent years, however, the inclusion of values related to social justice and social change, specifically, have become more prevalent in college and university mission statements, learning…
Leadership can be defined and described in a multitude of ways. Northouse (2013) described leadership as “…a process whereby an individual influences a group of individuals to achieve a common goal” (p. 5). In addition, Kotter (1996) emphasized leadership is about dealing with the inevitability of change. Rather than conceptualizing a pyramid structure with one…
Introduction Leader development begins well before adulthood (Mack et al., 2011); it is a complex, iterative process that takes place throughout an individual’s life (Day & Sin, 2011). A person’s leader development can be affected by a number of factors, including the individual’s perception of leadership (Avolio & Vogelgesang, 2011). Perceptions of leadership are an…
Introduction Understanding what individuals view as important to their lives by placing a name or label on it provides language to what one values. This clarification often happens during traditional college years and is a critical component of leadership education. For students to learn how to be a positive leader, they…