Leadership Style Influence Among Undergrad Students
Hamily Mercado
Co-Presenters: Ariana Napper, Tia Montgomery
College: College of Business and Public Management
Major: BA.CRIMINALJUSTICE
Faculty Research Mentor: Kocoglu, Ipek
Abstract:
Tittle: Leading the Way: The Influence of Leadership Styles on Group Project SuccessAuthor: Hamily Mercado, Ariana Napper, Tia MontgomeryThis research aims to explore how different leadership styles (autocratic, democratic, and laissez-faire) affect the success of group projects in academic and organizational settings. While effective leadership is widely recognized as crucial for achieving group objectives, the specific impact of various leadership approaches on project outcomes has not yet been sufficiently explored. Understanding these dynamics is essential for educators, team members, and managers seeking to maximize group performance and satisfaction.Therefore, to investigate this topic, we plan to conduct a mixed-methods study, which includes quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews with participants who have diverse experiences in group projects. The survey will measure perceptions of leadership style, group cohesion, communication effectiveness, and overall project success. The in-depth interviews will provide further information about team members' experiences and highlight the primarily contextual factors that influence the relationship between leadership style and group outcomes.The collected data is analyzed using statistical methods to identify patterns and correlations, while thematic analysis of interview transcripts will reveal a deeper understanding of group dynamics. Therefore, by comparing the results of different leadership styles, it is also hoped that the approaches best foster successful collaboration and high-quality project outcomes.Our research aims to provide practical recommendations for leaders and teams seeking to improve the performance of their group projects. We anticipate that our findings will demonstrate the importance of adaptive leadership and offer guidance for selecting the most effective style based on the group's needs and the project's objectives. Ultimately, this study seeks to empower teams to achieve greater success through informed leadership decisions.Keywords: Group Projects, Leadership Styles, Collaboration, Teamwork, Project Success.