Scholarship & Leadership Connection

Scholarship & Leadership: Is there really a connection?
By Guest Blogger Aleksandar M. Velkoski

How many times have you heard that “A” students end-up working for “C” students? Or, that “C” students end-up being more successful than “A” students? Of those discussions, how many times have people backed-up their claims with stories of how their brother or cousin makes $80,000 dollars a year, is only a high school graduate, and received poor marks all throughout his scholastic career?

There is a prevailing thought in our society that you don’t have to do well in school to succeed (or even go to college for that matter). From my standpoint, this is a dangerous prevailing thought and is one that needs to change. This post is certainly not intended to generate discussion regarding whether or not “C” students are more successful than “A” students. Rather, it is to bring to the table some of the realities of the relationship between scholarship and leadership. With these realities in hand, individuals can better position themselves for leadership and success.

There is no question in my mind that people can succeed even though they may not have done well in school, or have gone to college. Regardless, the question is whether or not there a positive correlation between scholarship and leadership. And, my gut reaction is “yes!” When we look at the available literature, we find that leaders are reported to have better scholastic records in 96% of studies (Bass, B., 2008, p. 84). Not surprisingly, leaders were also found to have better average scholastic grades than did non-leaders (Bass, B., p. 85).

It was also noted that individuals with superior accomplishments in areas valued by a group had prestige value, which, from an overall standpoint, likely contributes to leadership (Bass, B., p. 85). Because many of the above factors were present in individuals that did not occupy positions of leadership, the magnitude of correlations suggest that intelligence and scholarship account for only a part of the total complex factors of leadership (Bass, B., p. 85).

So, what does all of this mean? And, how can you apply it to be more successful? It seems as though there is no question that there is a connection between scholarship and leadership. However, we cannot conclude that scholarship, alone, is an indicator for success and leadership. What we can do, however, is add-up a few different factors that may help us better understand the overall connection. According to the United States Census Bureau (2003), on average, individuals with a Bachelor degree have incomes that are 47% higher than individuals with a high school diploma. When we compare a Master degree holder to a holder of a high school diploma, the difference is 54%.

In summary:

• According to the available literature, in 96% of studies, leaders were reported to have better scholastic records than non-leaders.
• On average, you make more money with a higher degree.
• Knowledge is power in leadership. Education helps build that knowledge (see here: Expert Power).

It seems as though indicators point to a positive correlation between scholarship and leadership. If you’re a young aspiring leader, don’t believe the hype: go to school and do well in school, and there is no question that your hard work will pay off. And, if you’re an experienced leader, remember that knowledge is power.

Source: Bass, B. (2008). The Bass Handbook of Leadership. New York, NY: The Free Press.

Aleksandar M. Velkoski is President and Chief Executive Officer of the Prime Leadership Group L.C., a leadership coaching firm. He is a doctoral student in business administration at Lawrence Technological University and is author of The Prime Leader.

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