Growing Leaders: Testing Learning Modules that Foster Belongingness and Growth Mindsets about Leadership among Adolescents

Adolescence is a period of identity formation, and in particular a time for the development of beliefs regarding who can be a leader. Given that such beliefs are informed by what adolescents see and what those around them believe, adolescents who are part of racial minority groups are more likely to form opinions that they are less able to lead relative to adolescents who are part of majority groups. With our research, we designed learning modules that we delivered during interactive workshops led by research team members from underrepresented groups. In these modules, we discussed systemic racism, programs created to combat inequality, the increasing representation of Black and Hispanic people and women in various high-status positions, and ways to foster and benefit from a growth mindset, for middle and high school students. Results suggested the learning modules increased feelings of belongingness in leadership after the workshop for underrepresented Black and Hispanic adolescents in addition to White and Asian adolescents. We also showed significant increases in beliefs that one can grow leadership abilities for all adolescents; this effect was larger for White and Asian adolescents. We discuss the implications for mitigating the perpetuation of underrepresentation in leadership.