THE ROLE OF SELF-LEADERSHIP BEHAVIOR-FOCUSED STRATEGIES IN ENHANCING ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF STUDENTS AT HIGHER EDUCATION

Abstract This study explores the impact of self-leadership behavior-focused strategies on the academic performance of higher education students, with a specific focus on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) students. The study employs a quantitative approach, surveying 436 STEM students enrolled in the Malaysian matriculation program under the Ministry of Education Malaysia for the 2023/2024 academic year. Data analysis is conducted using SPSS for descriptive statistics and SmartPLS 4 for PLS-SEM. This dual approach comprehensively explores demographic trends, variable levels, and the intricate relationships between self-leadership behavior-focused strategies and academic performance. Utilizing PLS-SEM, the research examines four key components: self-goal setting, self-observation, self-reward, and self-cueing. The findings reveal that self-goal setting is the most impactful self-leadership strategy for academic success (β=0.252,p<0.05), indicating that students who set clear academic goals tend to perform better. This is followed by self-reward (β=0.197,p<0.05), suggesting that recognizing personal achievements reinforces motivation. Self-cueing (β=0.177,p<0.05) also plays a crucial role, as using reminders and prompts helps students stay focused on their studies. Lastly, self-observation (β=0.147,p<0.05) contributes to academic performance by encouraging students to monitor their progress and adjust their learning strategies accordingly. Together, these strategies account for a moderate portion of the variation in academic performance, emphasizing the importance of self-leadership behavior-focused strategies in student success. By addressing critical gaps in the literature, the study shifts the lens of self-leadership research from organizational settings to educational contexts, dissecting the individual contributions of behavior-focused strategies. The integration of advanced analytical methods strengthens the reliability of the results and offers nuanced insights into the direct effects of these strategies on academic outcomes.