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Journals / İşletme Bilimi Dergisi / 2026 / Cilt: 14 Sayı: 2

A Qualitative Study on Critical Life Events That Reveal Generation Z’s Leadership Ability

Z Kuşağının Liderlik Yeteneğini Ortaya Çıkaran Kritik Yaşam Olayları Üzerine Nitel Bir Araştırma

Muhammet Hamdi Mücevher
Pages
426–443
Publication Date
2026-06-23
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

In the second phase, the impact of these life experiences on leadership abilities was evaluated, and the following themes emerged: Development of Responsibility and Self-Management Skills, Psychological Resilience and Emotional Maturity, Social Interaction and Communication Competence, Development of Decision-Making and Problem-Solving Skills, Self-Awareness and Personal Growth, and Social Sensitivity and Volunteering.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:Understanding how individuals develop their leadership abilities and potential has become a significant focus within contemporary leadership theories and generational research.
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Key Findings & Data:In this study, which was structured in a qualitative research design, the responses of 320 university students belonging to Generation Z to semi-structured questions were examined using thematic analysis method.
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Conclusion & Impact:In the second phase, the impact of these life experiences on leadership abilities was evaluated, and the following themes emerged: Development of Responsibility and Self-Management Skills, Psychological Resilience and Emotional Maturity, Social Interaction and Communication Competence, Development of Decision-Making and Problem-Solving Skills, Self-Awareness and Personal Growth, and Social Sensitivity and Volunteering.
🔬Design:Araştırma Makalesi
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Z Kuşağı · Liderlik Yeteneği · Liderlik Gelişimi

Abstract

Understanding how individuals develop their leadership abilities and potential has become a significant focus within contemporary leadership theories and generational research. This study aims to examine the critical life events that have left a lasting impression on members of Generation Z and the contributions of these experiences to the development of their leadership skills. In this study, which was structured in a qualitative research design, the responses of 320 university students belonging to Generation Z to semi-structured questions were examined using thematic analysis method. In the first phase of the study, life experiences that contributed to the acquisition of leadership traits among Generation Z were examined, and six major themes were identified: Family Responsibilities and Forced Maturity, Leadership Experiences in Social Groups, Personal Challenges and Individual Resilience, Family Responsibilities and Early Leadership, Leadership Development through Educational and Volunteering Experiences, and Coping with Challenging Life Conditions and Building Resilience. In the second phase, the impact of these life experiences on leadership abilities was evaluated, and the following themes emerged: Development of Responsibility and Self-Management Skills, Psychological Resilience and Emotional Maturity, Social Interaction and Communication Competence, Development of Decision-Making and Problem-Solving Skills, Self-Awareness and Personal Growth, and Social Sensitivity and Volunteering.

Özet

Bireylerin liderlik yeteneği ve potansiyelini nasıl geliştirdikleri, güncel liderlik kuramlarının ve kuşak araştırmalarının önemli bir araştırma konusu haline gelmiştir. Bu çalışma, Z kuşağının yaşamında iz bırakan kritik yaşam olaylarını ve bu olayların liderlik yeteneklerinin gelişimine katkılarını incelemeyi amaçlamaktadır. Nitel araştırma deseninde yapılandırılan bu araştırmada, z kuşağına mensup 320 üniversite öğrencisinin yarı yapılandırılmış sorulara verdikleri yanıtlar tematik analiz yöntemiyle incelenmiştir. Araştırmanın ilk aşamasında, z kuşağının liderlik özelliklerini kazanmasında etkili olan yaşam deneyimleri analiz edilmiş ve şu altı tema belirlenmiştir: “Ailevi sorumluluklar ve zorunlu olgunlaşma”, “Sosyal gruplarda liderlik deneyimleri”, “Kişisel zorluklar ve bireysel dayanıklılık”, “Ailevi sorumluluklar ve erken yaşta liderlik”, “Eğitim ve gönüllülük deneyimleriyle gelişen liderlik” ve “Zorlayıcı yaşam koşullarıyla baş etme ve direnç geliştirme”. İkinci aşamada ise bu yaşam deneyimlerinin liderlik yeteneklerine katkıları değerlendirilmiş, elde edilen veriler doğrultusunda şu temalar ortaya çıkmıştır: “Sorumluluk ve öz yönetim becerilerinin gelişimi”, “Psikolojik dayanıklılık ve duygusal olgunluk”, “Sosyal etkileşim ve iletişim yetkinliği”, “Karar alma ve problem çözme becerilerinin gelişimi”, “Öz farkındalık ve kişisel gelişim” ve “Toplumsal duyarlılık ve gönüllülük”. Araştırma, liderliğin sadece örgütsel eğitimlerle değil, bireylerin yaşamsal deneyimlerinden beslenerek de geliştiğini ortaya koymakta, özellikle z kuşağının liderlik potansiyelinin anlaşılmasında hayat hikayesi temelli bir yaklaşıma vurgu yapmaktadır.

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Cite This Article

Mücevher, M. H. (2026). A Qualitative Study on Critical Life Events That Reveal Generation Z’s Leadership Ability. İşletme Bilimi Dergisi, Cilt: 14 Sayı: 2, 426–443. https://doi.org/10.22139/jobs.1746434

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