Personal Values of Students Leaders

Abstract

Introduction

In student leadership, individuals perform the noble task of disseminating knowledge and inspiring change within their communities.  Student leaders strive to create a positive impact through mentoring, campaigns, and other initiatives, beginning with improving their immediate surroundings.  Guided by their core values, these leaders embark on a journey to effect change.  However, a notable concern researchers observe is the assignment of leadership roles, often overshadowing voluntary participation.  Many students are designated leaders yet need more experience or confidence to lead a team effectively.  To unlock these aspiring leaders' potential, researchers investigated their personal values, aiming to uncover their latent leadership capabilities.

Research Objective

The primary aim of this study was to identify the personal values of Junior High School student leaders at Union Christian College.  The study sought to formulate a proposed leadership guide that would harness students' leadership potential by aligning them with their personal values, ultimately enhancing their effectiveness as leaders.

Method

Employing a descriptive-correlational research design, the study surveyed 77 Junior High School student leaders using a comprehensive questionnaire.  The data analysis utilized frequency counts and percentages to present demographic information such as age, positions held, and grade point averages.  Weighted mean was employed to gauge personal values across various dimensions, including practical-mindedness, achievement, decisiveness, orderliness, and goal orientation.  Pearson's Product Moment Correlation was also utilized to uncover potential relationships between the variables under consideration.

Results and Discussion

The study results indicated that most respondents fell within the age range of 13-16 years.  Diverse leadership positions were held by respondents, with Peace Officers or Representatives constituting the most common roles.  Respondents exhibited strong personal values, with decisiveness emerging as their strongest attribute.  This implied a significant capacity for making independent decisions, evaluating alternatives, and determining optimal solutions both for themselves and their responsibilities.  Conversely, respondents rated their achievement values at a moderately strong level, suggesting room for improvement in pursuing excellence in assigned tasks and adhering to deadlines.

Notably, certain aspects of personal values, such as contentment with life decisions, organizational orderliness, and a clear sense of direction, were rated lower.  These aspects have been targeted as priorities in formulating a leadership guide.  The correlation analysis unveiled a significant negative correlation between age and orientation level, indicating that younger student leaders were more adept at understanding and fulfilling their roles.  A positive correlation was also established between grade point average and practical-mindedness, decisiveness, and orientation levels, implying that higher academic achievement correlated with enhanced personal values conducive to effective leadership.

Implications and Relevance

The findings of this study provide valuable insights into the personal values that underpin effective student leadership.  Educational institutions can use this information to tailor their leadership development programs to address specific areas of improvement, ensuring that student leaders are equipped with the necessary skills and values for successful leadership roles.  By identifying areas of strength and weakness in personal values, student leaders can develop a deeper understanding of their own strengths and areas for improvement.  This self-awareness can contribute to more mindful decision-making and improved interactions with peers and colleagues. Moreover, the study's emphasis on the importance of personal values and the potential variation among student leaders highlights the need for inclusive leadership training. Different students may possess diverse values that contribute uniquely to effective leadership, so fostering an environment that encourages and appreciates these differences is essential.

Conclusion and Recommendations

This study underscored the pivotal role of personal values in shaping the effectiveness of student leaders.  To develop less experienced student leaders into more adept ones, it is recommended that the school offer comprehensive guidance and support tailored to their specific needs.  Programs designed to nurture leadership qualities should consider students' personal values as a foundational element.  The results of this study hold significance in identifying strong and weak points in the personal values of student leaders.  Based on these findings, the proposed leadership guide should be implemented and evaluated to ensure the continuous cultivation of strong leadership capabilities among students.