The Impact of Interpersonal Leadership and Structural Leadership on Human Development in DIGNITY Student Association at Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia

Abstract

This study examines the effectiveness of Head of Department (HOD) leadership within the Digital Business Student Association (DIGNITY) at Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia. The primary objective was to evaluate how interpersonal and professional leadership dimensions, as formulated in the "Leaders Curriculum," influence human development outcomes such as trust, psychological safety, and personal growth from the perspective of organization members. The research employed a quantitative approach with a cross-sectional survey design. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire distributed to a total population of 46 staff-level functionaries across eight different departments. The analysis involved descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression to determine the relationship between the leadership variables and member development. The findings indicate that the leadership model collectively explains 76.5% of the variance in human development. While both dimensions received high descriptive scores, hypothesis testing revealed that only interpersonal leadership serves as a significant partial predictor of member growth. In contrast, professional or structural leadership did not show a statistically significant independent effect. These results suggest that in a student-led environment, relational qualities specifically empathy and character understanding are the primary catalysts for fostering a sense of belonging and developmental progress. The implications of this study highlight a necessary shift from purely administrative management to a human-centric leadership model. To optimize organizational sustainability and member satisfaction, student organizations should prioritize emotional intelligence and mentorship over formal task coordination. This study validates the "Leaders Curriculum" as an effective framework for institutionalizing supportive leadership culture, offering a strategic roadmap for other campus organizations seeking to enhance their human resource development.