The Role of Faculty in Teaching Leadership Studies

Abstract

The question of whether leadership can be taught has received much attention in the literature. While many authors believe that it can be taught, other disagree. Leadership is a process which is different from the term leader. In that regard, faculty can teach leadership as a process but they may not be able to provide their students with positions as leaders. The purpose of this article is to discuss the role of faculty in teaching leadership studies. The focus will be on why to teach leadership, when to teach leadership, what to teach about leadership, and how to teach it. Since leadership is a process, students are better served if they learn how this process works and use it in their daily interactions with others. Important leadership behaviors can be learned and practiced early on in life. They can be learned from parents, teachers, peers or significant others. Leadership skills may be successfully taught and learned by using the interactive approach. Thus, through instructional integrity, intellectual humility, relevant equality, critical thinking, specific class structure, and self-directed humor, faculty may create the appropriate climate for teaching leadership skills.