Perceptions Of Leadership Skills Research Articles

Exploring students’ perceptions of leadership skills in higher education: An impact study of the leadership training program

Leadership skills are a prerequisite in the 21st-century workplace in all fields. However, graduates often leave universities with a wealth of knowledge but less mastery and confidence in leadership skills. The purpose of the current study was to estimate the impact of a 20-hour leadership training program (LTP), on learning. A quasi-experimental method with non-equivalent groups, namely, an experimental group (EG) and a control group (CG), were used to assess the impact of the LTP on students’ learning perceptions. The convenience sample consisted of 96 students (49 males and 47 females), and 55 students in the EG. Pre- and post-assessments were performed. In the series of t-tests, the value of the difference between the pre- and post-assessments showed a significant overall effect on the ratings, favoring the EG. The results showed that the LTP was highly effective at developing students’ leadership skills. Implications and recommendations for future research are also included.

Student perceptions of leadership skills necessary for digital transformation

Digital transformations help organizations revitalize business processes and customer relationships. Industry professionals and academicians recognize that leadership skills and technology skills are complementary when managing a digital workplace. Using a classroom exercise administered in multiple semesters, we attempted to capture student perceptions of leadership skills and competencies they deem important in leading a company through a digital transformation. Findings revealed that younger generations recognize digital literacy for corporate leaders as a key skill alongside conventional leadership skills. We address the need to enhance graduate and undergraduate business management curricula to provide students an opportunity to examine and develop leadership skills to confidently lead amidst the complexities of a digital workplace.

Is peer-led discovery based learning effective in promoting leadership skills among middle school children? Evidence from India

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to compare the effectiveness of discovery based learning and direct instruction strategies in peer-led leadership workshops in enhancing the leadership skills of middle school children in India. Three hundred and seventy-five, 10-13-year-old girls participated in the study. The children completed a paper and pencil Likert-type survey about their perception about leadership skills. The girls were randomly grouped into discovery based learning and direct instruction groups for the peer-led workshops. The researcher analysed the data using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) to determine if there were significant differences in the participants’ perception of leadership skills. The results indicated that there were significant differences between the discovery based and direct instruction groups in the perception of their own leadership skills (F = 9.2, p < .05) and their perceptions of appropriate skills a good leader needs to have (F = 22.29, p < .001).

Effect of Peer-Led Leadership Workshops on Leadership Skills Among Middle School Students in India

ABSTRACTThis study researched the effect of peer-led leadership workshops on the perception of leadership skills among middle school children in India. Five hundred ninety-eight 10- to 14-year-old students participated in this study. The students completed a 20-item Likert-type survey that assessed their perceptions of their own leadership skills and skills essential for an effective leader and the students rank ordered the traits of a leader from 1 (highest) to 10 (lowest). The students completed the survey pre- and postworkshop. The workshops were led by two female high school students who were trained to conduct these workshops. The students were taught four main concepts of leadership – traits of good/bad leader, public speaking, self-confidence, and problem solving. The results showed significant differences in the totals scores of leadership self-perception, perception of essential leadership skills, and the four subscales, pre- and postworkshop (p < .001). The first statement, regarding the leader’s ability to communicate effectively, saw the most change in the ranking, followed by the second statement, regarding a leader being inspirational. The one-factor ANOVA showed that there was a significant (p < .01) difference in the self and leader variables only by age.

The Impact of a Leadership Development Program on Saudi University Students’ Perception of Leadership Skills

This study was conducted to examine whether a leadership training program increases university students’ perception of leadership skills. Female students, like their male counterparts, have to play a central role in the economy of the country, regardless of the existing social constraints. Therefore, they need to be equipped with leadership skills in order to ensure that they are capable of making authentic changes in society. The survey included 42 components with seven subscales that were used to measure the following leadership skills: communication, planning, teamwork, decision-making, controlling, motivation and evaluation. The sample consisted of 36 female students who were randomly selected to participate in a two-day leadership training program at the University of Dammam. A questionnaire was distributed at the end of the program. This questionnaire was applied with the objective of estimating the students’ perception of the importance of leadership-related skills. The results demonstrate that this program significantly develops participants’ perceptions of leadership skills, as t(35) = 7.81, p 0.05, regardless of their area of academic specialization, their history of participation in organized social activities, any previous leadership roles that they may have held, and any previous leadership training that they may have received. The authors recommend that this study be replicated on a larger sample.

Undergraduate Sport Management Students’ Perceptions of Leadership Skills Through Service Learning

Researchers have discovered that service learning affects students’ academic, personal, and social development. However, currently there is a gap in literature analyzing ways in which service learning affects students’ perceived leadership skills. This study examined the effectiveness of service learning on the perceived leadership skills of 74 sport management undergraduate students at a mid-sized, Midwestern, public university using Kouzes’ and Posner’s Student Leadership Practices Inventory instrument, which examines leadership practices in five areas: Model the Way, Inspire a Shared Vision, Challenge the Process, Enable Others to Act, and Encourage the Heart. The results of this study may help faculty members and administrators to better understand the potential of utilizing service learning projects in their classrooms as a vehicle for their students to develop quality leadership practices. Recommendations for further research and practice are also discussed.

The Management and Leadership in Regional Public Authorities of the Kaliningrad Region: Sociological Aspects

Current article considers leadership problems of executive authorities of the Kaliningrad region. Leader management on the basis of the reformative concept of leadership is analysed. Interactions of heads with employees it was considered on four channels of influence: the individualised attention; the inspiring motivation; intellectual stimulation; charismatic influence. During the conducted research all respondents emphasise the importance of the factors stated above though also some features of perception of leadership skills of heads depending on age of workers, gender accessory are recorded. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2015.v6n6s7p190

Perceptions of Leadership Skills as an Indicator of a Community’s Social Capital

The leaders of two local and regional organizations, Cooperative Extension Service (CES) and Workforce Development Board (WDB), were surveyed to determine their perceptions of the leadership skills of each other as an indicator of the social capital within the community. Results showed the majority of both groups did not know if their counterparts possessed basic leadership abilities that included communication skills, task and maintenance skills, conflict management, etc. However, neither group gave the other low ratings on any of the skills. The implications of these findings are that there is little interaction between these two groups on local and regional projects and programs. This suggests the social capital that results when local leaders interact and influence other parts of the community is not being realized and thus is not utilized for local and regional initiatives to the extent that it could be.

Developing Citizenship through Sport: The Impact of a Sport-Based Volunteer Programme on Young Sport Leaders

The Millennium Volunteers (MV) is a nation-wide government initiative designed to encourage citizenship in young people by providing opportunities to volunteer their time in the community for the benefit of themselves and others. This paper examines an MV programme focused solely on sport that sets out to provide training and support for young sport leaders to do volunteer work in their schools and the community. The rationale behind this study is to describe the psycho-social characteristics of young sport leaders (males = 138; females = 168; mean age = 16.6 years) from across England who were involved in the programme. Assessments were made on their motives and attitudes to volunteer work and their perceptions of leadership skills over a nine-month period. Overall results showed that leadership skills and volunteer motivations increased while the importance of and attraction to volunteering also changed over time. Providing a profile of young sport leaders and a measure of the impact of their volunteer activity may be of benefit to sporting organisations, educators and community administrators who wish to increase interest and opportunities in volunteer work by young people. This study demonstrates the advantage of using sport and volunteering as a means for encouraging pro-social behaviour and citizenship among young people and the positive impact this combination can have personally on the volunteer.

Leadership Training: Its Effectiveness in Changing Perceptions of Leadership Skills in the Junior Army

Reports a study of over 600 soldiers enrolled in Junior Units of the British Army. Investigates their perceptions of leadership skills in general and their own leadership qualities both before and after experiencing a leadership course. Leadership skills and qualities are classified as innate personal qualities, personal leadership skills, interpersonal skills and managerial skills. While such courses are seen to improve the self‐perception of personal leadership skills and qualities of all types, the courses fail to emphasize the overall importance of interpersonal skills and managerial skills.