Applying a Cultural Lens to Leadership Learning

Research suggests that international students engage at higher rates in extra- or co-curricular leadership development programs than their domestic peers. Yet, how are leadership educators enhancing leadership learning to respond to the special interests of international students? The International Leadership Association’s (ILA) General Principles for Leadership Programs offer important advice in responding to the challenge of integrating international perspectives and dynamics into all students’ leadership learning. The authors examine the Leadership Identity Development and Social Change Model of Leadership Development theories using a culturally relevant leadership learning lens to demonstrate how commonly used leadership models can be adapted to serve international and domestic students more effectively. Treating international leadership as a special case or example is othering for students from non-dominant culture backgrounds and creates an environment of Western exceptionalism and marginalization for those who do not share the same experiences.