Abstract
This study explores how Generation Z leaders are experiencing both leadership and leadership development in STEM organizations to help improve the effectiveness of STEM Z leaders. A transcendental phenomenology methodology, using in vivo coding and theme development, was applied to semi-structured open-ended interviews to gain understanding of the STEM Z leaders’ experience directly from them and in their own words. Additionally, this dissertation in practice provides recommendations to STEM organizations on how to improve their training curriculum to enhance and accelerate the effectiveness of STEM Z leaders and thereby enhance the overall success of the organization. Study findings resulted in five themes addressing both the leadership and the development experience of the 15 participants. The themes included 1) STEM Z leaders practice relational leadership founded on trust, 2) supportive leaders/mentors were a critical catalyst in STEM Z leadership experience and development, 3) STEM Z learned to lead more through early development and on-the-job experience than formal training, 4) STEM Z learned to lead through overcoming organizational and identity-based challenges, and 5) STEM Z leaders’ altruistic motivation inspire them to lead. The resulting recommended solution is to incorporate mentorship training for existing leaders and interpersonal skills training for STEM Z to help STEM Z be more successful. Investing in STEM Z leaders, who will define our future, is even more crucial during this time of unprecedented change to secure our nation’s security and economic prosperity. Keywords: transcendental phenomenology, Generation Z, STEM, STEM Z, leadership, transformational leadership, servant leadership