Contribution of Generic Skills to Leadership Skills
Abstract
The research is carried out to identify the contribution of generic competency towards undergraduates’ leadership. Future leaders require generic skills in order to govern holistically. Integrated generic skills in the teaching and learning context are transferable. Quantitative research has been employed via Malaysia Generic Skill Instrument (MaGSI). It has been constructed by National University of Malaysia (UKM) researchers. MaGSI instrument which comprises of 13 constructs with 74 items has been administered to 1,008 randomly chosen undergraduates in 12 UKM faculties. MaGSI respondent/ item reliability which ranges from 0.86 to 0.98 is considered as high. Stepwise multi-regression analysis reveals communication skills are the main contributor in undergraduates’ leadership. Excellent communication skills will aid the undergraduates in disseminating information to others. Meanwhile, Teamwork, Entrepreneur, Etiquette, Managerial, Social Responsibility, Critical Thinking and Problem Solving Skills have also contributed in undergraduates’ leadership. In addition, the research could act as guidance and indicator to undergraduates, researchers, universities and stakeholders. They could properly plan integration of the generic competency skills in the university teaching and learning.