Measuring Malaysian youth leadership competencies: validation and development of instrument

Figures & data

Figure 1. The process of research design.

Table 1. The demography of focus group interview with the youth leader and their stakeholders.

Group	Number of informants	Gender (male/female)	Range of age (years)	Date	Description
Group 1	7	Male-6/Female-1	19–40	29 September 2020	Youth leader
Group 2	7	Male-6/Female-1	23–30	1 October 2020	Youth leader
Group 3	6	Male-3/Female-3	24–28	6 October 2020	Youth leader
Group 4	4	Male-4/Female-0	22–28	19 October 2020	Youth leader
Group 5	4	Male-2/Female-2	30–32	20 October 2020	Youth leader
Group 6	5	Male-2/Female-3	23–26	28 October 2020	Youth leader
Group 7	9	Male-6/Female-3	30–55	29 September 2020	Stakeholders
Group 8	10	Male-5/Female-5	30–55	1 October 2020	Stakeholders
Group 9	4	Male-3/Female-1	33–47	6 October 2020	Stakeholders
Group 10	8	Male-3/Female-5	30–47	19 October 2020	Stakeholders
Group 11	5	Male-5/Female-0	38–49	20 October 2020	Stakeholders
Group 12	4	Male-4/Female-1	25–43	28 October 2020	Stakeholders

Table 2. The demography of expert panel.

Group	Gender (male/female)	Age	Practitioner/academician	Expertise	Experiences
Expert 1	Male	71	Practitioners	Leadership development	40
Expert 2	Female	74	Practitioners	Cross cultural	42
Expert 3	Male	56	Practitioner	Public sector leadership	27
Expert 4	Male	51	Academician	Higher education leadership	25
Expert 5	Female	44	Academician	Community development	15

Table 3. The final items for main survey.

Dimension 1: Value—29 items
Harmony	Loyal
I value the existence of a harmonious environment and a friendly atmosphere (e.g. at home, study, office, etc.) I respect differences of opinion between two individuals/groups I practice a harmonious atmosphere while sharing different opinions with others. I am able to control my emotions when there is a dispute/disagreement	I abide by the rules of the authorities I respect the leader and implement his decisions. I respect the interests of group members and fight for their rights. I defend the rule of law of the country I am obedient to the King and the country
Compromise	Respect
I put others first who need more help I give priority to people with disabilities I am open and transparent with other religious activities in my area	I listen to and respect the arguments of people who are more experienced and have different views I accept the advantages or disadvantages of others I respect religious and cultural diversity I respect the federal constitution
Civilized	Cooperate
I get used to saying thank you when helped by others. I can adapt to different environments I can adapt to the customs of other races (dress, speech & behavior) I am sensitive in the ethics of communicating	I practice mutual aid in my community I practice the principle of ‘bear the same problem, enjoy the same happiness’ I contribute (physical and financial) without expecting anything in return
Humanity	Humble
I am not comfortable telling others about my accomplishments I don’t like sharing my activities, lifestyle or achievements on social media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc.) I prefer others to tell me stories about my accomplishments and strengths	I am not comfortable telling others about my accomplishments I don’t like sharing my activities, lifestyle or achievements on social media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc.) I prefer other people to talk about my accomplishments, strengths and weaknesses
Dimension 2: Knowledge—10 items
Expertise	Ability to acquire knowledge
I have in-depth knowledge of a field I try to improve my knowledge/talent I get the opportunity to apply my strengths/talents/knowledge My friend’s strengths/talents are recognized or appreciated by others (family, friends, employers, colleagues).	I always gain knowledge to improve myself I practice the knowledge learned I have the ability to highlight my natural talents
Deep interest
I understand the interest in me I have a deep knowledge of my interests I like to share my interests with others
Dimension 3: Spiritual—10 items
Faith	Religious beliefs
I believe spiritual relationships help me face challenges I believe spiritual relationships help me understand others My faith in God helps me always find meaning in life I feel this life has a purpose I feel like I have inner spiritual strength I believe spiritual strength contributes a lot to the well-being of my life. My faith gives me strength to go through daily life	I am aware of the importance of religion in me I understand the religious knowledge required I practice religious knowledge in my daily life
Dimension 4: Sense—16 items
Concerned	Adaptation and flexibility
I care about my friends I also sympathize if a friend is having problems/difficulties I am concerned in social issues, such as gender issues and poverty I cannot see others oppressed	I can adapt easily in a new environment If there is an argument/fight I can calm, it down I have no problem working with people of all ages/genders/races I try to understand something before acting
Empathy	Affectionate
I also feel happy when other people are happy I feel sad when I see others being oppressed/played I understand the difficulties of others I can tell someone is grieving even if he or she doesn’t tell me about it	I believe everyone deserves to be loved I am always aware of my friends I love my comrades-in-arms I will do my best to take care of sick/troubled family members
Dimension 5: Mind—7 items
Wise	Intellect
I make decisions based on past experience I make adequate judgments before making a decision I do not make a decision in a hurry I am not easily influenced by personal interests in decision making I think before I act	I refer to authentic information/facts in performing a task I research something before believing it.
Dimension 6: Practice—32 items
Integrity	Responsible
I am always on time If I make a mistake, I will admit it I do not use the rights of others for my own benefit I will reprimand individuals who use the rights of others for personal purposes I always keep promises	I make sure each assignment is completed within the allotted time I make sure all tasks are performed diligently I am willing to take on the responsibilities given to me I inform my boss if there are things that affect the assignment
Tenacity	Firm
I always make sure I am not caught up in corruption I don’t easily give up if I fail at something I can face many challenges I resolve conflicts in a positive way	I will not remain silent when I see someone breaking the rules I am confident in what I say I listen to the views of others I make sure I am clear with what I am doing I can tolerate taking into account the views of others
Kind hearted	Honest
I offer help to anyone in need I help friends if they have problems	I feel ashamed if I am dishonest in my actions/deeds I feel guilty for not saying the truth I am willing to take risks for telling the truth I do not disclose confidential information to unauthorized persons
Justice	Risk taking
I often help people in need I prioritize the values of justice in life I do not discriminate against a person based on his or her background	I understand every decision has its risks I dare to make decisions even at risk to myself I dare to try something new
Openness
I am open-minded when reprimanded when I make a mistake I think positively in taking action

Table 4. Profile of respondents.

Profile		Frequency	Percent
Age category	15–20 years	188	34.8
	21–25 years	178	32.9
	26–30 years	175	32.3
Gender	Male	283	53.3
	Female	258	47.7
Ethnicity	Malay	318	58.8
	Chinese	82	15.2
	Indian	23	4.3
	Bumiputera Sabah	62	11.5
	Bumiputera Sarawak	46	8.5
	Orang Asli	2	0.4
	Others	8	1.5
Location	Urban	428	79.1
	Rural	113	20.9
Education level	Without formal education	5	0.9
	Primary school (UPSR)	21	3.9
	Middle school (PMR/PT3)	69	12.8
	Secondary school (SPM/SPMV)	154	28.5
	High school (STPM/STAM)	43	7.9
	Vocational	27	5.0
	Matriculations	8	1.5
	Diploma	28	5.2
	Degree	97	17.9
	Master	77	14.2
	Ph.D.	11	2.0
	Others	1	0.2

Table 5. Factor loading and Cronbach alpha for Malaysian youth leadership competencies (MYLC).

Construct (dimension)	Items wording	Factor loading
Personal value (Alpha = .946)	• I value the existence of a harmonious environment and a friendly atmosphere (e.g. at home, study, office, etc.)	0.551
	• I respect differences of opinion between two individuals/groups	0.623
	• I practice a harmonious atmosphere while sharing different opinions with others.	0.654
	• I abide by the rules of the authorities	0.704
	• I respect the leader and implement his decisions.	0.727
	• I respect the interests of group members and fight for their rights.	0.657
	• I defend the rule of law of the country	0.729
	• I am obedient to the King and the country	0.733
	• I put others first who need more help	0.664
	• I give priority to people with disabilities	0.671
	• I am open and transparent with other religious activities in my area	0.587
	• I listen to and respect the arguments of people who are more experienced and have different views	0.602
	• I accept the advantages or disadvantages of others	0.571
	• I respect religious and cultural diversity	0.611
	• I respect the federal constitution	0.570
Humanity (Alpha = .833)	• I am sensitive in the ethics of communicating	0.508
	• I practice mutual aid in my community	0.705
	• I am not comfortable telling others about my accomplishments	0.678
	• I don’t like sharing my activities, lifestyle or achievements on social media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc.)	0.711
	• I prefer others to tell me stories about my accomplishments and strengths	0.648
Knowledge (Alpha = .909)	• I have in-depth knowledge of a field	0.682
	• I try to improve my knowledge/talent	0.665
	• I get the opportunity to apply my strengths/talents/knowledge	0.735
	• My friend’s strengths/talents are recognized or appreciated by others (family, friends, employers, colleagues).	0.660
	• I always gain knowledge to improve myself	0.576
	• I practice the knowledge learned	0.561
	• I have the ability to highlight my natural talents	0.653
	• I understand the interest in me	0.569
	• I have a deep knowledge of my interests	0.573
Faith (Alpha = .896)	• I believe spiritual relationships help me face challenges	0.723
	• I believe spiritual relationships help me understand others	0.758
	• I feel like I have inner spiritual strength	0.586
	• I believe spiritual strength contributes a lot to the well-being of my life.	0.725
	• My faith gives me strength to go through daily life	0.503
Religious Belief (Alpha = .870)	• My faith in God helps me always find meaning in life	0.616
	• I am aware of the importance of religion in me	0.643
	• I understand the religious knowledge required	0.713
	• I practice religious knowledge in my daily life	0.696
Sense (Alpha = .914)	• I care about my friends	0.631
	• I also sympathize if a friend is having problems/difficulties	0.640
	• I also feel happy when other people are happy	0.618
	• I feel sad when I see others being oppressed/played	0.597
	• I understand the difficulties of others	0.547
	• I believe everyone deserves to be loved	0.515
	• I am always aware of my friends	0.637
	• I love my comrades-in-arms	0.676
Mind (Alpha = .856)	• I do not make a decision in a hurry	0.646
	• I am not easily influenced by personal interests in decision making	0.562
	• I think before I act	0.611
	• I research something before believing it.	0.510
Integrity (Alpha = .889)	• I am always on time	0.753
	• If I make a mistake, I will admit it	0.581
	• I always keep promises	0.668
	• I make sure each assignment is completed within the allotted time	0.724
	• I make sure all tasks are performed diligently	0.623
	• I am willing to take on the responsibilities given to me	0.519
Honest (Alpha = .940)	• I make sure I am clear with what I am doing	0.556
	• I can tolerate taking into account the views of others	0.623
	• I offer help to anyone in need	0.530
	• I help friends if they have problems	0.620
	• I feel ashamed if I am dishonest in my actions/deeds	0.683
	• I feel guilty for not saying the truth	0.741
	• I am willing to take risks for telling the truth	0.648
	• I do not disclose confidential information to unauthorized persons	0.676
	• I often help people in need	0.569
	• I prioritize the values of justice in life	0.646
	• I do not discriminate against a person based on his or her background	0.562
	• I understand every decision has its risks	0.554
Risk taking (Alpha = .844)	• I dare to try something new	0.617
	• I am open-minded when reprimanded when I make a mistake	0.658
	• I think positively in taking action	0.588