The spectrum helps teams see how intergenerational partnership is currently structured within their organization, so that they can orient themselves as they advance the work. By analyzing these stages, teams can pinpoint exactly where their daily practices, underlying structures and cultural norms are out of alignment with their leadership-sharing goals.
These five stages provide organizations with a high-level view of how intergenerational partnership takes shape over time. It is common for organizations to operate on several stages at once.
Select a stage below to explore what it looks like in practice, areas to focus on, signs of progress, potential challenges and what it takes to sustain partnership.
| FoundationalBuild readiness | EmergingPractice partnership | ThrivingEmbed partnership | IntegratedSustain partnership | TransformationalExtend influence | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Partnership | Youth participation is beginning. | Youth and adults test shared leadership. | Youth and adults regularly lead together. | Partnership is embedded across the organization. | Partnership influences organizations and systems beyond it. |
| Decision Making | Adults generally retain authority. | Some decisions are shared. | Youth and adults share meaningful decision-making roles. | Shared decision making is standard practice. | Shared leadership shapes broader strategies and systems. |
| Organizational Practice | Systems are being prepared for youth participation. | Teams establish roles, feedback and accessible practices. | Policies and practices increasingly support partnership. | Partnership is embedded in operations, policies and culture. | Organizational practices become models for others. |
| Youth Leadership | Youth contribute ideas and perspectives. | Youth take on defined leadership roles. | Youth co-lead major work and decisions. | Youth and alumni hold sustained leadership and governance roles. | Youth and alumni develop leaders and influence the broader field. |
| Adult Role | Adults invite and support youth participation. | Adults practice sharing control. | Adults serve as partners, supporters and co-learners. | Shared leadership is an organizational expectation. | Adults and youth model intergenerational leadership together. |
Build readiness
Practice partnership
Embed partnership
Sustain partnership
Extend influence
Is Your Organization Ready for Shared Leadership?
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