About

Austin Council is a Collegiate Assistant Professor and Coordinator of Leadership and Social Change at Virginia Tech within the Department of Agricultural, Leadership, and Community Education. He holds a B.A. in History, an M.A. in Education with a focus on Social Studies, and a Ph.D. in Agriculture, Education and Communication with a leadership focus, all from the University of Florida. His teaching includes courses such as Exploring Citizen Leadership, Leadership in a Global Society, and Leadership Studies Capstone. His research contributions encompass leadership education, social change, humility development, and the role of social media influencers in leadership, with multiple publications in the Journal of Leadership Education and related outlets. His work emphasizes authentic leadership, humility, and innovative instructional tools like podcasting, aiming to develop future leaders through a practice-based approach.

Research topics

• Political Science
• Sociology
• Psychology
• Social psychology
• Public relations
• Law
• Environmental ethics
• Marketing
• Geography

Selected publications

• Exploring connections between awe and humility development: a case study of undergraduate students’ perceptions of awe-inspiring experiences in leadership education

  Journal of Leadership Education · 2025-10-11

  articleOpen access1st authorCorresponding

  Purpose The purpose of this study was to explore how experiences of awe contribute to the development of humility among students in a leadership education context. Design/methodology/approach We adopted a qualitative case study and phenomenological approach to explore how students in an introductory leadership course experienced awe and humility. Qualitative data were collected through an open-ended survey from n = 61 students, based on their prior knowledge of humility, awe and leadership from a module introduced earlier in the semester. Coding followed two strategies based on the assignment prompt, the type of awe and inductive approach, drawing on students' words and phrases. Findings Our findings suggest a notable connection between awe and humility, as evident in the students' responses. Students described experiences that fit under each of the “eight wonders of life,” such as moral beauty, collective effervescence, nature and epiphany. Findings also show that these awe-inducing experiences challenged students intellectually, causing them to reconsider their perspectives and be open to thinking about their lives in new ways. These experiences also inspired gratitude and encouraged a deeper focus on others and the community. Originality/value Going beyond teaching the theories of leadership and toward virtues, character and self-transcendent emotions may allow students to go deeper in their leadership education and gain more holistic and introspective insights into their motivations, desires and values that drive their leadership.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Building the future: a practice-based approach to youth leadership development

  Journal of Leadership Education · 2025-05-02 · 1 citations

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  Purpose While leadership is a popular field of research and practice, there is a need for more studies emphasizing youth leadership development. The importance of youth leadership development in solving complex societal and organizational problems cannot be overemphasized. The purpose of this teaching tool is, first, to contribute to the field of youth leadership development. Secondly, gleaning from nonprofit work in Africa, this article aims to explore emerging leadership education approaches for developing young leaders. Design/methodology/approach This research maximizes a recent evaluation of the Teens and Youth in Leadership (TYIL) Fellowship program, conducted using a focus group interview with previous participants and assessing the impact and relevance of TYIL’s model for the leadership development among youth. Findings Participants believed that the model adopted by the TYIL Fellowship for youth leadership development is relevant for their personal leadership successes and can be adopted by other youth leadership programs. Originality/value The featured program is novel, with potential for broad application. Youth program leaders, faculty members and practitioners can utilize this teaching tool research for developing young leaders in their various contexts.

  PublisherDOI

• Social change isn’t always in technicolor: teaching group values in leadership with <i>12 Angry Men</i>

  Journal of Leadership Education · 2025-03-20

  articleOpen access1st authorCorresponding

  Purpose The purpose of this paper is to illustrate the usage of the film 12 Angry Men as a way to teach group values in leadership education. In this process, the paper showcases student voices based on a qualitative thematic analysis of existing course data to provide evidence for the film’s usefulness in this context. Design/methodology/approach We used a basic qualitative approach within a single case study design. The “case” was an online introductory leadership course at a large, land-grant university. Using existing data ( n = 83 responses) from a discussion post assignment, we conducted a thematic analysis, developed codes based on the in vivo technique, which led to larger, emergent themes. The data were initially arranged based on three areas: initial reactions to the film, identified Social Change Model (SCM) group values and observed leadership behaviors. Findings Findings show that most students were engaged while watching despite the slower-paced, black-and-white format and that it depicted all three of the group values of the SCM: collaboration, common purpose and controversy with (and without) civility. Students also observed key leadership behaviors based on the actions of juror #8, who turned the tide of the film through his courage, influence and congruence of values throughout the jury deliberation process. Originality/value 12 Angry Men highlights the benefits of using film to teach hard-to-grasp leadership concepts involving group dynamics, standing up for your beliefs and the notion of “change” having a snowball effect. Despite being a film shot in an entirely different time period in American society, students nonetheless were captivated by the film’s powerful depiction of the nuances of group dynamics, which makes 12 Angry Men both original and valuable to use in leadership education.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Are social media “Influencers” leaders? Exploring student perceptions of social media influencers in the context of leadership and followership

  Journal of Leadership Education · 2024 · 2 citations

  1st authorCorresponding
  • Political Science
  • Psychology
  • Social psychology

  Purpose This purpose of the study was to investigate, analyze, and make meaning of student perceptions of social media influencers in the context of leadership and followership. Design/methodology/approach We investigated whether students perceive social media influencers as leaders, their perceptions of the difference between followers and fans, and the degree of responsibility influencers have over their followers’ behaviors. Existing qualitative data were obtained from n = 41 participants for the study. We used elements of phenomenology within a single case study design (introductory leadership course) to thematically review and analyze students’ discussion posts and agree on common themes. Findings Our findings show that most students do not believe influencers are leaders based on value differences between influencers and leaders broadly. Students perceived followers as more actively engaged than fans based on their ability to work alongside leaders, while fans are more passive by only consuming and admiring influencers’ content. Lastly, most students noted that influencers are responsible for the behaviors of their followers and should have more awareness of their power and influence online. Originality/value As social media continues to influence the perceptions of the younger generations of leaders, our findings seek to provide insights into the evolving and dynamic nature of leadership and followership in the digital age.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Exploring Humility to Address the Need for Authentic Leadership

  Journal of Leadership Accountability and Ethics · 2021 · 6 citations

  1st authorCorresponding
  • Political Science
  • Sociology
  • Public relations

  A focus on the role of virtues in leadership, particularly humility, is gaining steam among leadership circles. However, despite the increase in scholarship, many questions remain. The purpose of the current paper was to explore how identified humble leaders within five organizations were perceived by themselves and their followers. Results showed humble leaders identify themselves as self-aware and open in their leadership. Followers perceive humble leaders to build trusting relationships, are oriented toward others, lead by example, focus on the bigger picture, and possess integrity (authenticity/honesty). The findings revealed humility plays a role in the expression of authentic leader behaviors.

  DOI

• Exploring the development of humble leaders in the context of agriculture

  Advancements in Agricultural Development · 2020

  1st authorCorresponding
  • Political Science
  • Sociology
  • Public relations

  The complexity of the world today requires leadership that is interconnected rather than self-serving. This is particularly important within the context of agriculture, a field at the forefront of the complex problems associated with the impact of climate change. In recent years, the role virtues play in effective leadership has gained a significant amount of attention. One particular virtue that has seen increased attention in the leadership research is humility. Humility has been identified as a way to counteract the negative outcomes of self-serving leadership, namely, unethical practices and leader narcissism. Over the past several decades, researchers and scholars have begun to shed light on the many benefits this elusive virtue brings to leadership, however, many questions remain, notably, “How do humble leaders develop their leadership?” The present qualitative study found that humble agriculture leaders develop their leadership style through (a) the development of strong personal values, (b) investments in human and social capital, and (c) supportive feedback. The findings from this research provide recommendations for agricultural leadership educators to consider when building leadership programs that have the goal of developing humble leaders ready to address complex problems in the context of agriculture and natural resources.

  DOI

• Addressing the Biggest (Baddest) and Best Ideas Ever: Through the Lens of Humility

  Journal of Leadership Education · 2017-10-15 · 8 citations

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  Now and into the foreseeable future, both effective leadership and creativity are going to be important when addressing complex problems. The connection between effective leadership and creativity will be critical as leaders look to turn big ideas into innovative solutions. However, it seems that there is often a disconnect between the two constructs of creativity and effective leadership. The article draws upon scholarly research within the field to address this gap and better understand the power of humility to mitigate this disconnect. The goal of this article is to encourage the field of Leadership Education to look inward into how we as a community are creating an environment where creative leaders can be developed.

  PublisherDOI

Frequent coauthors

• Olamide Olowoyo

  New Leaders

  4 shared

• Matthew Sowcik

  4 shared

• Anthony C. Andenoro

  William Woods University

  1 shared