Critical perspectives on leadership identity development

Area of Science:

• Social Sciences
• Leadership Studies
• Critical Theory

Background:

• Existing leadership identity development (LID) models often perpetuate patriarchal, white supremacist, and heteronormative biases.
• Marginalized communities face inequitable pathways in leadership development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To critique current LID approaches using critical race theory, intersectionality, critical feminism, queer, and indigenous paradigms.
• To illuminate more just and equitable pathways for leadership identity development for marginalized individuals.

Main Methods:

• Theoretical critique of existing leadership identity development frameworks.
• Application of critical race theory, intersectionality, critical feminism, queer, and indigenous paradigms.

Main Results:

• Identified limitations in current LID models that reinforce oppressive social structures.
• Proposed alternative pathways for LID that challenge dominant, exclusionary norms.

Conclusions:

• Liberatory pedagogies can center social justice in leadership identity development.
• Creating new possibilities for LID requires countering patriarchal, white supremacist, hetero, and cis normative contexts.