Natural Born Leaders: An Exploration of Leadership Development in Children and Adolescents

• Main Author: Sacks, Robin
• Other Authors: Ferrari, Michel
• Language: en_ca
• Published: 2009
• Subjects: Youth Leadership; Leadership Education; Leadership Development; 0515
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/1807/19162

This research aims to identify core elements of leadership development in children and adolescents. Initial focus groups with student leaders in elementary and high schools suggested key differences in students’ implicit theories of leadership and their identities as leaders. A follow-up survey was constructed to measure these differences. Findings suggest age-based distinctions in students’ implicit understanding of leadership, what constitutes leadership behaviour, who has the capacity to lead, and what kinds of leadership they would like to take on. These distinctions form the basis for a conceptual model illustrating four phases or “stories” of leadership identified by children and adolescents: the task-oriented “helper,” the responsibility-oriented “deputy,” the role-oriented “agent” and the identity-oriented “ambassador.”