15 May 2024
Transforming Student Leadership
By Dr. Sandy Geyer
In today's educational landscape, the question of how schools cultivate leadership skills among students is more important than ever. Drawing from a wide range of perspectives and research insights, this article explores the crucial role schools play in preparing our leaders of tomorrow. By examining existing literature and personal experiences, my aim is to discuss the limitations in current approaches to student leadership development and propose practical and actionable solutions.
Identifying the Problem:
Researchers have long debated the importance of nurturing leadership skills among students. I reference the research papers I have drawn from upfront in place of referring to each idea, as they are most often collated, as well as interpreted through the lens of this article focus; (Anderson & Lu, 2017; Davies, 2011; Hine, 2014; Hodkinson, 2017; Hoyt & Kennedy, 2008; Lavery & Hine, 2013, 2013; McNae, 2011; Geyer 2023).
With students poised to assume diverse leadership roles in society as they leave their educational years, it's evident that their formative experiences in schools heavily influence their leadership styles and capabilities. However, existing paradigms of student leadership are often outdated and are showing to fail to equip students with the skills they need for future success. Researchers who have highlighted the student voices specifically show that student leadership positions are frequently perceived as token gestures rather than meaningful opportunities for growth and development. It has also been shown that whilst a great deal of thought and process goes into the student leader election process, that the support during the leadership period of the students is found wanting. Research suggests that in many cases it is assumed that students have appropriate leadership skills already in place when elected, which is most often not the case.
Exploring Solutions:
While schools have increasingly prioritised leadership development since the early 2000s, there remains a lack of consensus on effective and relevant training methodologies for student leaders. Moreover, many students who don't hold formal leadership positions are overlooked in leadership development efforts. To address these issues, it's helpful to shift our focus from a narrow view of leadership as a role-based activity to a broader understanding that leadership applies to everyone. By instilling a sense of personal leadership identity in all students, schools can lay the groundwork for a more inclusive and impactful approach to leadership development. Having a personal leadership identity means that each student understands that leadership is relevant to them in some way, and that not “only leaders do leadership”.
Proposed Solution:
Our research at EnQPractice is ongoing and aims to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application in student leadership development. Through fostering foundational self-awareness, self-leadership and collaboration skills, it has been shown that students can unlock their full potential as leaders. Their transition from "doing" to "being" represents a vital shift in the understanding and practice of leadership. An understanding and practice that emphasises empowerment and shared leadership over control and hierarchy. It is possibly no coincidence that student leadership positions were first created as a “preparation for power” by Dr. Thomas Arnold, a school headmaster at Eton School in the UK from 1820 to 1842. Outdated in context is possibly an understatement for these positions which function similarly in many schools still today. The time has surely come to modernise these practices for our future leaders.
Invitation to Action:
As we continue our research, we invite you to join our journey and make use of our on-line courses for your students specifically designed to assist them to create the foundations of self – awareness, self – leadership, leadership through conflict and the positive influence of others referred to above. These courses are very affordable and practical, enabling students to complete them in their own time or to be integrated into lesson times as the school chooses.
In Closing:
The journey to redefining student leadership begins with acknowledging its shortcomings and embracing innovative solutions. We hope that our innovation in this area of is benefit to your own contribution to shaping the leaders of tomorrow. We look forward to working with you. For more information please visit https://allcopypublishers.co.za/ll4l and do not hesitate to reach out to us if we can assist you in any way.
Yours in leadership,
Dr. Sandy Geyer
Article References:
Anderson, Michael., & Lu, F. (2017, February 21). Research: How Leadership Experience Affects Students. Harvard Business Review. https://hbr.org/2017/02/research-how-leadership-experience-affects-students
Davies, B. (2011). Learning to Lead: What Constitutes Effective Training for Student Leaders in New Zealand Secondary Schools? [Open Access Te Herenga Waka-Victoria University of Wellington]. https://doi.org/10.26686/wgtn.17011682
Geyer, S. (2023). A practitioner inquiry and framework for seeding entrepreneurial leadership as part of identity formation in teenagers [Te Pūkenga - New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology]. https://doi.org/10.34074/thes.6046
Hine, G. (2014). Student Leadership Development: A Functional Framework. Journal of Catholic Education, 18(1), 79–110. https://doi.org/10.15365/joce.1801052014
Hodkinson, S. (2017). Leadership for all: An investigation into the benefits of student leadership in secondary schools. https://doi.org/10.26021/9589
Hoyt, M. A., & Kennedy, C. L. (2008). Leadership and Adolescent Girls: A Qualitative Study of Leadership Development. American Journal of Community Psychology, 42(3–4), 203–219. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10464-008-9206-8
Lavery, S. D., & Hine, G. S. C. (2013). Catholic school principals: Promoting student leadership. Catholic Education: A Journal of Inquiry and Practice, 17(1), 41–66. https://doi.org/10.15365/joce.1701032013
McNae, R. (2011). Student Leadership in Secondary Schools: The influence of school context on young women’s leadership perceptions. Leading and Managing, 17(No.2), 36–51.
Dr. Sandy Geyer
Unleashing Leadership Literacy for Future Leaders.
Entrepreneurial leader, Leadership Literacy Researcher, Author, and Speaker.
Dr. Sandy Geyer brings nearly 3 decades of international hands-on experience in the most demanding and overarching form of leadership, entrepreneurial leadership, starting with her engagement in successful ventures since 1996. As the co-founder of Allcopy Publishers Pty Ltd in 1996 and Quickvest Properties in 2004, she has a proven track record in leading successful enterprises.
In 2012, Dr. Geyer embarked on a transformative path by founding EnQPractice which quickly evolved into a hub for entrepreneurial leadership and leadership preparation. Driven by her vision to empower individuals with the personal skills and mindset essential for success, Dr. Geyer authored and published her book "Path of the Lion: Build your EnQ. Build your Business." in 2013. This highly original work introduced the concept of Entrepreneurial Intelligence (EnQ), emphasising the internal cultivation of a robust entrepreneurial mindset to enhance external skill sets.
Since 2012, Dr. Geyer has directly mentored student leaders in South Africa and New Zealand, guiding them to navigate the complexities of leadership within educational settings. Determined to delve deeper into the essence of leadership to assist future leaders, Dr. Geyer embarked on a doctoral research project from 2019 to 2023. Her exploration within the fields of education and professional practice led to the creation of a brand new theory of leadership preparation, termed "seeding leadership”.
Seeding Leadership Theory led to the development of "Leadership Literacy for Life." These online courses have been designed for high school and early tertiary students, preparing them for leadership roles with a solid foundation in self-awareness, self-leadership and collaboration skills.
For Dr. Sandy Geyer, leadership literacy isn't merely a strategy; it's a philosophy that embraces diverse styles of leadership within the multifaceted business and academic landscape currently faced by all current and future leaders. With her wealth of experience, pioneering insights, and unwavering dedication to empowering current and future leaders, Dr. Geyer continues to shape the future of business, education and leadership through her ongoing research, leadership-related articles and online courses.
For more information please visit www.enqpractice.com
