Abstract
Youth leadership development is crucial for empowering young people to thrive and contribute to society. Research on 4-H has demonstrated significant leadership growth among program participants, with effects persisting into emerging adulthood. However, little is known about what specific experiences shape 4-H youth’s motivation to lead. This qualitative study explores meaningful experiences—vividly remembered moments with positive and enduring effects—that nurture leadership motivation among 4-H teen leaders. Seven emerging adults aged 18-21 with extensive leadership experience in Missouri 4-H programs participated in semi-structured, in-depth interviews. Using a thematic analysis approach, we identified two categories of meaningful experiences, namely transformative moments and formative experiences. These experiences shaped leadership motivation in 4-H programs through four key mechanisms: inspiring vision, building confidence, fostering autonomy, and recognizing impact. This study uniquely introduces the manifestations of meaningful experiences through the recollections of 4-H youth, highlighting how seemingly small acts, as well as structured activities, can serve as catalysts for youth leadership development. Implications include the importance of creating relational spaces and opportunities that facilitate meaningful experiences by diversifying leadership opportunities, nurturing developmental relationships, and implementing and strengthening recognition platforms.
Recommended Citation
Ta, Trang and Krauss, Steven
(2025)
"Pathways to Leadership: How Meaningful Experiences Shape Motivation in 4-H Teen Leaders,"
Journal of Youth Development: Vol. 20:
Iss.
4, Article 3.
Available at:
https://open.clemson.edu/jyd/vol20/iss4/3
