EXPLORING THE ORIGINS OF TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP IN YOUTH

Abstract

Leadership studies among college-aged individuals have predominantly focused on assessing the developmental outcomes of leadership programs, with limited attention to predicting leadership behaviors. This gap in understanding parallels the broader field of leadership research. This study aims to bridge this divide by investigating the antecedents of leadership in young adults, contributing valuable insights to the fields of student affairs, student development, and student leadership. Examining the factors that influence leadership behaviors in college-aged individuals has the potential to enrich leadership programs, shifting from skill-based and experiential learning approaches towards theory-driven practices grounded in a comprehensive understanding of leadership antecedents. This research holds significant implications for enhancing leadership development initiatives, aligning them with the foundational elements that drive student leadership behaviors and contributing to the overall advancement of leadership studies in higher education.