Factors that Influence Choice of a Leader: a Case Study of School of Statistics and Planning

Abstract

The main aim for carrying this study was to find out those factors that influence choice of a leader at School of Statistics and Planning, Makerere University. The specific objectives of the study were to establish whether creativity has an impact on leadership, to find out if there is a relationship between integrity and leadership, to determine the relationship between accountability and leadership, to determine the relationship between decision making capabilities and leadership and to examine the relationship between the ability to inspire others and leadership. The study used both the uni-variate and bi-variate tools for analysis of the findings. The sample design was based on Yamane’s formula for sample size determination. A sample of size of one hundred sixty-six (166) respondents participated in the study who provide their responses in the questionnaires and these formed the data for the study. The data collected using questionnaires was analyzed using SPSS and presented using charts, tables, and graphs. According to the study findings, it was found out that creativity, decision making capabilities and the ability to inspire others are key factors that influence the choice of a leader at SSP, Makerere University. However, it was noted that most of the students (90%) had never held any leadership role. The study recommended that the students at SSP should be equipped with creativity skills, decision making capabilities and the ability to inspire others in order to have effective leadership at the School.