Values clarification: Essential for leadership learning

Values clarification is a dynamic process in which people come to understand what they individually view as important in their lives by placing a name or label to what one values. This process commonly occurs during the traditional college years and is a critical component of leadership education. This qualitative study examined how junior-level undergraduate students clarify their values in the environment of a series of leadership courses at a large, Research I institution in the southeastern United States. Two major themes emerged including course curriculum and structure, and leadership learning environment. Findings from this research helped to explain the experience of how junior-level students clarify their values in their collegiate experience and inform the practice of leadership curriculum development in colleges and universities.