Strengthening the Weaknesses: The Leadership Dextirity of Special Students--A Case of Special Students at University of Tampere in Finland

Abstract

"Leadership is a complex phenomenon and is also the least understood although discussed widely. However, in education leadership is everywhere. Moreover, taking into consideration of special students leadership, my research explores the dexterity of special students in terms of traits approach of leadership. Cases were developed from special students studying at the University of Tampere. Each case is unique and provides qualitative meaning assimilating ethno-biography of the respondents. Interviews were conducted according to the respondent’s willingness. Autonomy to answer the interview questions were on the respondents discretions. The findings begin with the understanding of traits approach of both leaders and followers. Consequently, insights were drawn also to understand followership that 'are followers born or are followers made'. The findings suggested that realizing the weaknesses is important and applying these weaknesses to make their strength leading to personality development, and attitude formation. It was also found that pushing special abilities enhances in strengthening the weaknesses allows special students to perform better which drives them to seek the need of adaptability. The initiative persistence with the students of special abilities is found to be high that they do often drive themselves to push harder. This further makes them to excel competence in the field they have worked, for which they remain confident to maintain their stability and adaptability to perform. However, for them, loosing persistence is another form of weaknesses."