Blogging as a reflective tool for leadership development: An exploratory study of a leadership practicum grounded in the relational leadership model

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this research is to examine blogging as an instructional technique to develop an understanding of relational leadership through the lens of a leadership practicum. This research contributes to the literature in leadership education, specifically to experiential learning and reflective thinking in an online environment. Background: It is grounded in Komives, Lucas, and McMahon (1998) Relational Leadership Model (RLM) which is a framework for college students to understand leadership as a process of understanding self and others. Method: Blogs from 74 students enrolled in a leadership practicum at a large, comprehensive, southeastern university were analyzed using a holistic rubric to determine students capacity to understand the elements of the RLM. Results: Results revealed that students were able to analyze all five elements on a competent level. Conclusion: Blogging was found to be a useful, reflective thinking tool. Application: Recommendations are made to enhance the self-reflection process in leadership education.