A2: AOM Article on Leadership 1

A2: Academy of Management Article on Leadership, “How Business Students Think About

Leadership: A Qualitative Study on Leader Identity and Meaning–Making”

Anntashamonique L. Fejeran

University of Guam

NOTE: I, the original author of this BA347-01 Research Report, hereby give Dr. A. Valentine,
SBPA, and UOG permission to make use of this Report (without any evaluative notations or
marks) as appropriate for educational purposes, including (but not limited to):
 As an Assessment Example
 As a student writing/research example, and
 As a Research Report Example or “classroom resource” available to other SBPA
and UOG Students.

Date: September 1, 2022

Signed: _____________________________
Anntashamonique Fejeran

Author Note: This paper was created for Leadership and Collaboration in Organizations and
Societies, BA347-01, Dr. A. Valentine in the School of Business and Public Administration on
September 1, 2022.
A2: Detailed Analysis – A. Fejeran 2

Executive Summary

Leadership development is the main objective for business school students. Business schools

provide various leadership studies, platforms, programs, and a suitable environment for their

students. They include educational activities that will provide the students with crafts and

develop the skills a leader should manifest. Through these enlightenments, they believe that their

students will thrive in the workforce with confidence and zero struggle. However, these learning

establishments face negative feedback on their structure of educating leadership development.

Critics state that business schools established a one-size-fits- all program that provides students a

generalization of leadership development which results from their students being unprepared for

the various factors in the workforce. Business schools should not only focus on teaching

leadership development but making sure that their students grasp the concept of how they

comprehend and interpret the subject. Therefore, this article compiled research on how

individuals view leadership developments, their interpretation of being a leader, and how

leadership skills are soft skills.

Word Count: 159

A2: Detailed Analysis – A. Fejeran 3

Contents

Executive Summary.............................................................................................................2

Leadership............................................................................................................................4

Leadership and Soft Skills...................................................................................................5

Leadership Development.....................................................................................................5

Conclusion...........................................................................................................................7

References............................................................................................................................8
A2: Detailed Analysis – A. Fejeran 4

Leadership

The term leadership has various definitions, theories, and concepts due to the amount of

extensive research throughout the years and will continue to develop in the upcoming years

(Pratt, 2017). Leadership is the act of leading a group or organization or an influential

relationship between leaders and followers who focus on changes and outcomes that reflect their

shared interests and/or goals (Daft, 2022). Through this definition and the extensive amount of

study, individuals can grasp their own interpretation of who, how, why, and what it takes to be a

leader. When you ask an individual, what leadership or being a leader means to you, you would

get various interpretations from his/her point of view. He/she can practice and express this skill

from experience within their family and social lives. In schools, teachers have given the

educational environment through student organizations and group projects for students to

experience leadership. Throughout the experience, students enlighten themselves on how each

team member operates and how he/she tackles a project, issue, and/or goal. Therefore, the

interpretation and comprehension of leadership depend on the individual’s experience and

lessons (Pratt, 2017).

Through leadership, an effective leader demonstrates flexibility, is a team player, creates

a vision for the future, and enables success (Pratt, 2017). A leader must demonstrate his/her

flexibility as a way for them to adapt to various situations where he/she can accept change. A

leader does not think of his/her title as a higher position than their followers. A leader should

think of themselves as equals rather than in a hierarchical role. A leader must enable success

through motivation and encouragement towards their team members. Finally, a leader must

create a vision as a way to comprehend the reality of the present. They must embody the vision
A2: Detailed Analysis – A. Fejeran 5

and find ways to connect it with their employees (Pratt, 2017). Through these characteristics,

leaders must enhance their soft skills.

Leadership and Soft Skills

Soft skills are defined as personal abilities that enables an individual on how he/she

interact with others in their lives (Team, 2018). Soft skills include integrity, honesty, decision-

making, adaptability, and various interpersonal skills (Team, 2018). This type of skill expresses

and shows how an individual operates in their daily lives. Through this, the importance of soft

skills is what shapes and how a leader should interact with his/her team (Team, 2018). Therefore,

effective leadership is where a leader enables their interpersonal skills to influence and inspire

their team to move forward with his/her goals.

For effective leadership, an individual must practice and balance their soft skills. A leader

must enhance communication, compassion, willingness to learn, and versatility (Team, 2020). A

leader must make sure to communicate with his/her team in order to stay focused and stay on

track in order to complete their goal (Team, 2020). A leader must show compassion towards

their team members by understanding that everyone makes mistakes (Team, 2020). This shows

that their leader is easy to approach in difficult situations. As each day passes, a leader must keep

an open mind to new lessons and ideas from their peers. Finally, a leader must be versatile when

facing various obstacles to finalizing their goals. Therefore, a leader must practice soft leadership

skills to succeed (Team, 2020).

Leadership Development

Business schools and educational programs have provided the fundamentals of leadership

studies for their students. Through their teachings, they were confident that their students are

well-prepared for their future workplace. Unfortunately, their teachings have brought negative
A2: Detailed Analysis – A. Fejeran 6

feedback from critics and only provided the foundation of what leadership is. The importance of

Leadership Development revolves around an ever-changing workplace with various challenges

for future leaders (Moldoveanu and Narayandas, 2021). This development is important for

enhancing the ability to lead followers while retaining the foundation of what their leadership is

throughout time. Although educational programs and institutions educate their students on the

foundation of leadership, they should be encouraged to practice their leadership development

skills throughout their education (Moldoveanu and Narayandas, 2021).. The benefits of

leadership development are honing the skills to succeed.

As we move forward into the 21st century, developing leadership skills is not only in

educational institutions (Moldoveanu and Narayandas, 2021).. Leadership development is

provided through technology and at the tip of your finger. Students can research and dive in

deeper to learn more about how to be an effective leader (Prentice, 2022). Students can take

online courses to retain the foundation of leadership as well as practice their skills through up-to-

date scenarios in the workplace. However, the more students retain the foundation, the loss of

experience and motivation to enhance their leadership skills are lost within the transcript.
A2: Detailed Analysis – A. Fejeran 7

Conclusion

The development of leadership has grown to an extensive amount that it became a main

objective study in educational institutions. Leadership studies will continue to transform with the

ever-changing workforce and environment. A leader is not just a position you hold, but it is a

role that has importance within the community. Leaders must enhance and practice their soft

skills in order for them to thrive in today’s world. Leaders must be open-minded, versatile, and

have excellent communication, and other interpersonal skills to be approachable by their

followers. Overall, Leadership has various interpretations by individuals on how they

comprehend, experience, and teachings towards others.

A2: Detailed Analysis – A. Fejeran 8

References

DAFT, R. I. C. H. A. R. D. L. (2022). Chapter 1: What Does It Mean to Be a Leader? In The

Leadership Experience (7th ed., pp. 4–4). essay, CENGAGE LEARNING.

Pratt, M. K. (2017, November 29). What is leadership? - definition from whatis.com. SearchCIO.

Retrieved August 31, 2022, from

https://www.techtarget.com/searchcio/definition/leadership

Team, I. E. (2018, August 31). Soft skills: Definitions and top examples. Indeed Career Guide.

Retrieved August 31, 2022, from https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/resumes-cover-

letters/soft-skills

Team, I. E. (2020, March 13). 21 soft skills for leadership success. Indeed Career Guide.

Retrieved August 31, 2022, from https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-

development/soft-skills-for-leadership

Moldoveanu, M., & Narayandas, D. (2021, June 9). The Future of Leadership Development.

Harvard Business Review. Retrieved August 31, 2022, from https://hbr.org/2019/03/the-

future-of-leadership-development

Prentice, W. C. H. (2022, April 11). Understanding leadership. Harvard Business Review.

Retrieved August 31, 2022, from https://hbr.org/2004/01/understanding-leadership