The impact of leader motives in students: a systematic review

Abstract

Leader motives elucidate the driving forces behind leadership behavior and decision-making, which are pivotal for understanding effective leadership dynamics across diverse contexts. In this context, the systematic literature review (SLR) analyzed leader motives among students, providing insights into the underlying drivers shaping leadership behaviors within educational environments. This paper aims to understand how leader motives impact student behavior, academic performance, and social dynamics within educational environments. Based on McClelland’s needs theory as a conceptual framework, the review examines students’ prevalence and manifestations of achievement, power, and affiliation motives. This study systematically reviewed 16 papers, scholarly databases, and pertinent literature published between 2007 and 2024. A preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis (PRISMA) method was used to report the items. The findings underscore the importance of nurturing leader motives in educational settings, which contribute to positive student outcomes and foster leadership development through the lens of need theory. This study contributes to understanding how leader motives can elevate leadership behaviors and outcomes, offering valuable insights for policymakers and academic leaders aiming to enhance educational quality.