Developing and Motivating Young Leaders for Sustainability

There is an ever-increasing understanding of adult leadership and the attributes and capabilities of leaders and how this applies to leaders working in the areas of sustainability (Taylor, 2008, 2010a, 2010b). This knowledge has been used to develop numerous leadership development programs for adult leaders, both in the workplace and community groups. However, modified adult leadership and leadership for sustainability development programs may not be suitable for adolescent leaders. There are at least three reasons for this. First, research has shown that humans undergo considerable neurological, cognitive, social and developmental changes during adolescence (Siegel, 2013; Steinberg, 2011); what works for adults may not necessarily work for adolescents. Second, there is insufficient knowledge about where and how adolescents lead. Adult leadership development programs may not be relevant for adolescent leaders in schools and their community groups. Third, there is little research about what adolescents themselves understand by leadership and what motivates them to lead. Roach et al. (1999, p. 13) found that “emerging youth leadership differs from established measures and leadership theories drawn from adults” and we wondered if this could also be the case for adolescent leaders for sustainability.