Lack of Passion for Leadership among University Students
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Abstract
Due to various factors, university students may be reluctant to take on leadership roles. The aim of this study was to investigate these factors and offer suggestions to strengthen student leadership programs in a university setting. Thirteen student leaders and one university administrator participated in a qualitative study involving in-depth interviews conducted face-to-face and through Microsoft Teams video calls, all of which lasted between 30 to 45 minutes. Two-thirds of the respondents expressed that students lacked interest in leadership roles, and the remainder said students were reluctant to apply for a position due to unfavorable factors. While all the respondents agreed that student leadership was a rewarding experience, most students in the university were not able to draw a connection between leadership values and their future careers, resulting in a hesitant mindset towards bearing leadership responsibilities. An action plan is proposed to address this challenge. Following the suggestions from this study, students may be encouraged to participate in the leadership program as student leaders.
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