1 Developing Leadership During Adolescence: The Experiences of Women University Presidents

Researchers argue that much of who we are is developed during childhood and youth. Yet, little exploratory research has been conducted regarding experiences, activities, personalities, and perceptions of successful leaders during these years. I conducted in-depth, qualitative interviews with ten women university presidents to investigate perceptions and experiences related to the lifetime development of leadership skills, abilities, and competencies. The lived experiences of these women were investigated using the phenomenological research methodology so that “voices ” could be heard and unique insights examined. This paper explores a portion of the research on adolescent personalities, school and activities, influential individuals, and significant events and challenges. The adolescent years are an incredibly important developmental time for all individuals. It is a vital time for young women to develop confidence and self-esteem, learn new skills and competencies, discover strengths and weaknesses, and increase their understanding of self and environment. Since leadership is also a network of relationships (Ahn, Adamson, & Dornbusch, 2004), experience and opportunity in building healthy relationships with a host of different people and organizations is critical during these years. Adolescence is a dynamic time full o