Leadership Qualities of Future Psychologists — The Key to Professional Success

The article reveals the importance of leadership qualities of psychology students, formed during their studies, in achieving success in their future professional activities; the difference between the leadership qualities of future psychologists and the leadership qualities of specialists in other professions, based on humanistic values, ethics, confidentiality, and non-directiveness; reflectivity and self-knowledge; emotional intelligence; differ in leadership functions; level of influence on a person. The concept of “leadership qualities of future psychologists” is formulated as integrative personal and professional characteristics of a psychology student, manifested in the ability to organize and inspire others, direct group activities, and make responsible decisions, harmonize interpersonal relationships based on empathy, reflection, ethics and a high level of emotional intelligence for the purpose of personal development and mental well-being of people; a communication style based on the ability to listen, facilitate group processes, and create conditions for the self-disclosure of others. To identify the leadership abilities of psychology students, the results of the survey of the test “Diagnostics of motivation for success and fear of failure” and the test for determining the level of self-esteem are presented. It has been proven that participation in extracurricular activities and student self-government contribute to the development of emotional abilities, personal, communicative, and professional competencies, and therefore the formation of leadership qualities in psychology students and their success in future professional activities.