Given the importance of training competent leaders in educational systems and the necessity of developing individual and social competencies during adolescence, the present study aimed to identify the competencies required for leadership development in secondary school students. This research was conducted using a qualitative approach and a meta-synthesis methodology. The study population consisted of all valid national and international scholarly sources published between 2007 and 2023. After a systematic screening process, 21 studies meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria were selected and analyzed. Data were analyzed using MAXQDA software through three stages of open, axial, and selective coding. The findings revealed that leadership competencies are categorized into two main themes—"Leadership Character" and "Aspiration for Growth"—encompassing six key categories: self-awareness, value orientation, social responsibility, communication skills, lifelong learning, and organizational capability. The results indicate that leadership development in students is a contextual, multidimensional, and gradual process that requires the interaction of individual traits, school structure, and the social environment. These findings can serve as a foundation for designing educational and training programs to empower the next generation in the domain of leadership.
Allipour, F. , Jafari, P. , Ghourchian, N. and Hajipour Abayie, N. (2026). Identifying the Competencies Needed for Leadership Development for High School Students: A Qualitative Research. Applied Educational Leadership, 7(1), -. doi: 10.22098/ael.2026.18193.1635
MLA
Allipour, F. , , Jafari, P. , , Ghourchian, N. , and Hajipour Abayie, N. . "Identifying the Competencies Needed for Leadership Development for High School Students: A Qualitative Research", Applied Educational Leadership, 7, 1, 2026, -. doi: 10.22098/ael.2026.18193.1635
HARVARD
Allipour, F., Jafari, P., Ghourchian, N., Hajipour Abayie, N. (2026). 'Identifying the Competencies Needed for Leadership Development for High School Students: A Qualitative Research', Applied Educational Leadership, 7(1), pp. -. doi: 10.22098/ael.2026.18193.1635
CHICAGO
F. Allipour , P. Jafari , N. Ghourchian and N. Hajipour Abayie, "Identifying the Competencies Needed for Leadership Development for High School Students: A Qualitative Research," Applied Educational Leadership, 7 1 (2026): -, doi: 10.22098/ael.2026.18193.1635
VANCOUVER
Allipour, F., Jafari, P., Ghourchian, N., Hajipour Abayie, N. Identifying the Competencies Needed for Leadership Development for High School Students: A Qualitative Research. Applied Educational Leadership, 2026; 7(1): -. doi: 10.22098/ael.2026.18193.1635