Social awareness serves as the cornerstone of a dynamic leadership mindset among students, empowering them to inspire, support, and uplift their peers and communities. This research paper delves into the pivotal role of social awareness by collecting data from 246 college students. Utilizing a quantitative approach, the study employed Cronbach’s alpha (with a reliability exceeding 0.70) to analyse the relationship between social awareness and leadership development. Given the profound impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on social interactions and mental well-being, there is an urgent need to investigate the correlation between social awareness and the leadership mindset among college students. Understanding this relationship is crucial in cultivating compassionate leaders capable of effectively addressing diverse challenges and fostering unity in our rapidly evolving world. The study highlights five crucial aspects of social awareness- Vision and Communication, Active Listening and Curiosity, Decision Making and Emotional Intelligence, Empathy and Relatability, and Open-Mindedness and Self-reflection- that significantly influence students’ leadership mindset. Interestingly, the research found that a student’s academic percentage does not affect their leadership mindset. The results of this study hold significant implications for educational institutions and leadership development programs, as they seek to equip college students with the social and emotional skills necessary for effective leadership.

KEYWORDS: Social Awareness, Leadership, College Students, COVID-19, Compassionate Leaders.