The effect of formal leadership education on leadership behavior of selected college leaders

Abstract

This study addresses the effect of formal leadership education on leadership behavior of nine college leaders. It also takes into consideration other factors which influenced these participants' leadership behavior. Three major structures emerged from the analysis: Leadership is a progressive, learned behavior; the effect of formal leadership education on leadership behavior; and the influence of mentorship and role modeling on leadership behavior. It discusses the importance of life experiences and personal challenges and their influence on these participants' leadership behavior. This study argues that these participants' formal leadership education affected their leadership behavior not only because of participating in some hands on projects, but also because of people with whom they came in contact during their formal leadership education. Early life experiences proved to have great influences on these participants' leadership behavior. Mentorship and role modeling also played key roles in influencing the participants' leadership behavior at different periods of their lives. This study cross analyzes the participants' formal leadership education training programs to discuss the extent to which their formal leadership education affected their leadership behavior. An argument is developed to exemplify their parents and teachers as role models and their importance in influencing the participants' leadership behavior both within and outside formal leadership education settings. Leadership is portrayed as a journey of self discovery and personal development, and an ongoing process of learning from mistakes, challenges and experiences.