College Student Perceptions of Leadership: Empowering and Constraining Beliefs

Abstract

This study investigated college student perceptions of leadership and beliefs that both empower students towards and constrain students from involvement in leadership. Interviews were conducted with student leaders (students who held leadership positions) and disengaged students (students who had not held leadership positions). The student leaders generally regarded leadership to be an individualistic phenomenon pertaining to positions of power and influence, which require possession of particular qualities. They received more encouragement and opportunities from others, and had a background that fostered their desire to be leaders. The disengaged students demonstrated a lack of confidence, a lack of interest in leadership, a self-perceived deficiency in leadership qualities, and fewer opportunities to lead.

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