Character for Leadership: The Role of Personal Characteristics

Chapter 3 – Method 
This study utilizes a research design intended to examine the differences 
between those who possess certain character traits and their ability to enact 
effective leadership practices. This chapter describes the sample from which the 
data were collected, the instruments utilized in the data collection, and the 
procedures used for this study.
Sample 
This study utilized a sample to assess the relationship between character and 
transformational leadership effectiveness that consisted of 334 individuals 
preparing for ministry leadership. These individuals were seminary students and 
group leaders involved in a program of spiritual formation at a major evangelical 
seminary. This program requires participation in group meetings and activities for 2 
years. Participation in the program at this institution is only required of students in 
two degree programs: the Master of Theology (ThM) and the Master of Arts in 
Christian Education (MA CE) programs. These two programs have been designed 
to prepare students for full-time vocational Christian ministry. Participation by 
students in other programs at the institution is voluntary. Enrollment in the spiritual 
formation program comprises approximately 60% of the entering student 
enrollment at the institution’s main campus each year. 
Students are assigned to spiritual formation groups based on certain 
demographic factors such as marital status, age, ministry background, and class 
schedule. Group size ranges from 4 to 10 individuals, including the group leader. 
Student peers who have previously completed the program are the primary leaders 
of these groups, although a small number of group leaders are institutional faculty 
and staff. Some spiritual formation groups are composed of students and spouses. 
However, this study only considered groups in which student spouses were not 
group participants. Additionally, only those groups that hold meetings at the 
institution’s main campus were included in this sample, though additional groups 
meet at other extension locations and at local churches. These excluded groups 

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Character for Leadership 
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represent approximately 33% of the total spiritual formation group population 
(participants and leaders) at the institution.