Exploring the developmental trajectory of becoming a student leader: Developmental, transformational and transactional approaches to leadership

The aim of this research is to examine the developmental trajectory of students’ leadership. The developmental trajectory of student leadership is dependent upon several interacting theoretical foundations such as developmental, transformational and transactional approaches to leadership. All these approaches are specific and interactional which makes them feasible choices for the theoretical foundation about students’ leadership. Using a qualitative research approach and drawing on interviews conducted with students’ leaders of the University College Cork in Ireland, the results indicated that students’ leaders are very much influenced in their choices and actions by considerations for their future, and the development of skills and experiences that will provide personal and organisational benefit to those involved. Whilst leadership styles at this stage of their development seemed to be in a state of flux and had not been fully honed within students’ leaders, there were notable findings relating to the importance of them to be mentored by experienced leaders from their institution. Keywords: students, leadership, students' leadership, higher education