Developing leadership in youth can bolster self-esteem, prevent risky behavior, and serve as a springboard for successful adulthood. Yet, adult leadership development models are often inappropriate for adolescents, who have very particular developmental needs. This is the first book to lay out a leadership model that is grounded in adolescent development theory.

Based on more than a decade of work at the Leadership Development Network at the University of Pittsburgh, Youth Leadership identifies the three major stages of adolescent leadership development. It outlines practical, proven tactics for developing leadership skills through experiences at home, school, community, and work, and -- most importantly -- it shows how adults in these settings can have a positive impact. Josephine Long and Carl Fertman provide flexible strategies that can be used with adolescents in any program and in varied settings, and offer diagrams, tables, and charts to clarify recommendations and processes. From teachers and principals to directors of community programs, such as the YMCA and 4-H, and religious institutions, anyone interested in developing leadership in young people will find Youth Leadership to be a rich source of information and guidance, and an invaluable tool for nurturing the leaders of tomorrow.