Exploring the Impact Peer Feedback Can Have on Leadership Among Adolescents

Date of Award

Fall 2023

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership (EdD)

Committee Chair

Donis Toler

Committee Member

Chad Weirick

Committee Member

Kevin Daberkow

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore the impact that peer feedback can have on the leadership styles and methods of adolescents. This qualitative study utilized semi-structured interviews with a sample of 19 volunteer students from a Midwestern boarding school. The adolescents were asked to share their feelings on leadership, peer feedback, and whether these two categories impacted one another. Saturation was met after the 19th interview and data analysis indicated several themes. Adolescents strongly desire feedback from their peers related to leadership, regardless of whether it is positive or negative. There is also a strong belief that adults provide the foundation for leadership learning, but most meaningful leadership lessons come from interactions with other adolescents. The results of this study provided opportunities for additional research possibilities. One of these would be to conduct a longitudinal study to assess how leadership definitions change over time. There could also be studies implemented to assess the impact of prolonged negative feedback on leadership efficacy, the long-term effect peer feedback has on leadership, and the impact that giving feedback has on individuals.

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