“Corps” leadership: a cadet perspective on shared leadership

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to enhance understanding of shared leadership in a military academy setting.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative methodology was selected to ask senior cadets about a shared leadership concept at the United States Coast Guard Academy, known as the “corps leading the corps.” Cadets responded to, “what does the corps leading the corps mean to you?” via a paper and pencil survey. Cadet responses were coded using content analysis.

Findings

Three higher-order dimensions emerged from the data: autonomy and empowerment, developing self and others, and role modeling.

Originality/value

The paper provides emerging leaders’ commentary to incorporating a shared leadership concept within an educational environment.

Citation

Martin, I.H., Prophet, T., Owens, C., Martin, J. and Plummer, G. (2017), "“Corps” leadership: a cadet perspective on shared leadership", International Journal of Public Leadership, Vol. 13 No. 3, pp. 182-189. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJPL-02-2017-0009