A Leadership Development Program for Young Men

This grounded theory research paper presents an analysis of the motivation of young men in commencing a three-stage leadership development program and the critical influences impacting their decision to return for subsequent stages of the program. The key findings are that both people and program influences are significant. The key program influences initially are the community and group in Stage 1 along with certain program-specific elements. This creates a momentum towards Stage 2 where a three-day wilderness Solo experience emerges as the core category / central phenomenon – drawing participants from Stage 1 and being motivational towards Stage 3. Specific program elements and “lenses” are identified for future research.