Date of Award

7-2011

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Specialization

Communication and Leadership

School or Department

School of Leadership Studies

First Advisor

Dr. Tony Andenoro

Second Advisor

Dr. Nobuya Inagaki

Abstract

This study will examine the effects of the use of social network sites (SNS), specifically Facebook, on the relationality of aspiring leaders. The use of SNSs has skyrocketed among people all over the world, and particularly within the younger generation. An increasing amount of studies have been undertaken to look at the effects of using such SNSs. Further, as such SNSs take root and reveal substantial influence on relationships and habits within daily life, they seem to be increasingly leveraged by influential people for leadership purposes. As leadership remains one of the most critical topics within our culture, and relationality has long been acknowledged as a foundational element of effective leadership, it is vital that we examine the effects of the booming SNSs on relationality of young, aspiring leaders. This study implemented ethnographic interviews within a purposive sample of six recent graduates identified as leaders through being hired within their alma mater, which is a small state liberal arts university. The themes emerging from participant responses revealed the following effects on the relationality of the participants: heightened self-awareness and impression management; increased efforts towards balance, consistency, and credibility; heightened awareness of responsibility; and increased reflection on the intentionality of self and others, corresponding relational investment, and ultimate personal impact.

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