Guiding Principles and Leadership Model
Leadership Philosophy
At Kent State, we aspire to create critical learners, innovators, and adaptive problem solvers whose leadership exemplifies distinction. We support students in strengthening their leadership capacity, confidence, and effectiveness through our interdisciplinary, university-wide leadership program grounded in strategic partnerships and high-impact learning experiences.
- WHY WE DO IT: We believe every Kent State student has the potential to lead. Guided by our values and a commitment to student growth, we foster a high-quality environment for learning, developing, and practicing leadership in action.
- WHAT WE DO: Students will explore their leadership strengths, learn to lead effectively across varied groups and contexts, and creatively express their individual leadership approaches.
- HOW WE DO IT: Students actively participate in a comprehensive leadership program based on our Kent State University Leadership Development Model supported by strategic partnerships and high-impact practices.
Leadership Credo
Kent State University believes that every student has the potential to lead. Through co-curricular experiences and community partnerships, we support students in developing the skills, confidence, and mindset needed to lead with purpose and impact.
- WE BELIEVE LEADERSHIP: Is value-driven, collaborative process that contributes to meaningful progress; Is teachable and can be learned; Can be practiced by anyone, regardless of formal position or role
- WE BELIEVE PEOPLE ENGAGED IN LEADERSHIP: Demonstrate strong self-awareness and are guided by a clear sense of purpose and core values; Act with integrity and serve as ethical role models; Value and actively engage a range of experiences and ideas; Leverage personal and shared values to accomplish meaningful goals; Understand a variety of leadership approaches and effectively apply skills in real-world settings; Are committed to collaborating with others to contribute to positive and lasting impact
Intrapersonal
Self-Awareness
- Critical self-reflection: The process of becoming aware of one’s own perspectives, assumptions, and thought patterns that inform how an individual makes meaning of experiences
- Purpose: Discovering one’s ”why” and fulfilling that calling through clear personal and vocational goals
- Personal values: Deepening one’s understanding of the personal values that guide behavior and motivate an individual to take action, and acting in alignment with those values
- Leadership foundations: Understanding theories about leadership, articulating a personal leadership style, and incorporating leadership knowledge and skills into organizational and co-curricular experiences
Personal Action
- Personal Responsibility: Taking ownership of personal behaviors, and demonstrating a willingness and ability to initiate action
- Responding to Change: Exercising adaptability, optimism, and the ability to respond productively to uncertainty
- Receiving and Providing Feedback: developing strategies to offer critiques and advice; valuing constructive feedback to develop individual capacities and effectiveness
- Functioning Independently: Exercising independence and autonomy when completing tasks
- Commitment: Demonstrating a dependable, trustworthy character and exercising persistence and commitment in the face of adversity
Learning and Reasoning
- Reflection and Application: Establishing a continuous commitment to learning, reflection, integration, and application
- Innovation: Generating new ideas and solutions to address complex problems in an ever-evolving landscape
- Problem Solving: Understanding how to identify and examine a problem, develop and assess possible solutions, and select the most appropriate solution
- Decision Making: Understanding the factors influencing a decision and incorporating multiple perspectives into the decision-making process
- Critical Thinking: Engaging in rigorous critique with an open mind; analyzing, synthesizing, and evaluating information, systems, assumptions, and points of view
Interpersonal
Group Dynamics:
- Group Development: Understanding the culture, norms, practices, and behaviors specific to an organization, and implementing strategies to assist groups in developing a sense of shared purpose, commitment, trust, and effectiveness
- Communication: Understanding strategies to effectively and persuasively communicate verbally and non-verbally with others
- Conflict Management: Engaging difference through respectful dialogue and a commitment to hearing other’s perspectives; developing strategies to effectively manage disagreements, balancing the needs and interests of all involved, and finding common ground
- Commitment to the Growth of People: Exemplifying a commitment to the growth of each person in a group or organization; sharing knowledge, abilities, and experiences to help develop the capacities of others in an effort to maintain the productivity and legacy of an organization
- Interdependence: Valuing the relational aspects of leadership resulting in an awareness of the interconnectedness with others
Understanding and Collaboration:
- Critical Awareness: Recognizing that individuals bring unique values, communication styles and life experiences that shape how they contribute
- Collaboration: Implementing strategies to achieve a common objective through the sharing of ideas and distribution of responsibilities across group members
- Mutual Respect: Fostering a culture of civility and appreciation by honoring the contributions, ideas, and experiences of others
- Perspective-Taking: Considering a range of viewpoints and experiences to improve decision-making, group cohesion, and effectiveness
Community
Civic Responsibility
- Social Responsibility: Recognizing one’s responsibility to contribute to the well-being of others and demonstrating a commitment to service through participation in experiences that support community improvement and shared goals
- Global Citizenship: Understanding the role of individual and collective responsibility in a connected world, and contributing to efforts that promote cooperation, ethical leadership, and civic well-being
Ethical Community Engagement
- Leadership Impact: Acknowledging that leadership decisions may have varied impacts and approaching community work with thoughtfulness, fairness, and a learning mindset
- Civic Initiative: Demonstrating the motivation and commitment to address community needs, contribute to shared solutions, and lead with integrity within one’s sphere of influence
- Resilient Leadership: Exercising hope, resilience, and persistence in the face of challenges to promote positive change and strengthen communities
Change (as the Hub): Applying leadership strategies to navigate and influence positive outcomes across individual, group, organizational, and community contexts. It is through intentional reflection, collaboration, and action that leaders contribute to meaningful progress.