Leadership education for engineering students

Abstract

The interdependency of technical and socio-economic problem solving has increased the need for engineers, inherent problem solvers, to improve the development of their “soft skills.” Our ability to compete and innovate in an ever flattening world depends on engineers bringing envisioned solutions to fruition through leadership. Yet for the most part, engineering students are not exposed to formal studies in leadership. Instead, most engineering curricula focus on communications skills and anticipate that the graduate will acquire leadership skills either through employer training or via observation and “on-the-job” action. This deferral to employers for leadership development could possibly put the engineer at a disadvantage compared to other graduating majors where leadership is emphasized (e.g., Business), and reduce the competitiveness of our workforce that depends on realization of technical innovations to spur job creation. In response to this need, Ohio University's Russ College of Engineering and Technology established the T. Richard and Eleanora K. Robe Leadership Institute (RLI) in 1996. Since its founding, the Institute has promoted and encouraged effective leadership for college students, faculty, and staff through a wide variety of activities, awards, classes, and guest speakers that would allow them to reach beyond their professional competence. The focus on learning leadership concepts, styles, self-realization, and personal interactions with established leaders develops the student's own leadership style and prepares them to maximize future leadership opportunities. This paper will present the pedagogy used by the RLI in the annual leadership course offered to the Russ College's most promising student leaders. This course includes literature survey on leadership concepts, study of emotional intelligence and personal leadership styles, team building, and discussions/interactions with invited leaders, along with journals for reflection on each course activity. Details of the course structure, assignments, and interaction with the speakers will be presented.