Growing leaders in schools and out: building internal capacity for the mid-21st-century

This article highlights key elements of a developmental approach to leadership development and their promising connections to mid-21st-century capacities.

To do so, the authors draw from more than three decades of mixed-methods and qualitative research, as well as insights from their teaching and consulting with leaders of all kinds about adult development.

Specifically, four critical strategies are highlighted for enhancing collaboration that can help build internal capacity in schools and organizations.

This research shows that building internal capacity in this way can help prepare leaders – and those in their schools and communities – for the complexities and opportunities of mid-21st-century leadership and learning.