Beyond the Table: How to Truly Share Power with Youth in Leadership Development

The Invitation Isn’t Enough

In recent years, there has been growing recognition that young people should have a seat at the table in leadership, philanthropy, and community organizing. We celebrate youth councils, advisory boards, and leadership programs designed to elevate their voices. And yet, too often, the invitation to the table comes with unspoken limitations—restricted decision-making power, tokenized representation, or the expectation that young leaders conform to existing structures rather than shape them.

As someone who has worked extensively in youth leadership development, I’ve seen firsthand how well-intentioned programs sometimes fall short when it comes to real empowerment. The difference between giving youth a platform and sharing power is profound. If we want young leaders to thrive, we need to move from inclusion to co-creation.

What Does Shared Power Look Like?

Many organizations and institutions claim to support youth leadership, but the real test is in how much decision-making influence young people actually have. Consider these questions:

• Are young people involved in shaping the direction of leadership programs, or are they simply given pre-set roles?

• Do they have a say in funding decisions, strategic priorities, or policy development?

• Are their ideas treated with the same level of seriousness and investment as those of older leaders?

• Do they have the power to challenge and change existing structures, or are they expected to adapt to them?

Shared power means that youth are not just included for optics—they are trusted as co-creators, decision-makers, and innovators. This requires a shift in how we think about leadership, moving away from hierarchical models and towards models that are intergenerational, collaborative, and dynamic.

The Fear of “Letting Go”

For many organizations, there is an unspoken fear of what happens when young people are given real power. The common concerns include:

• “They don’t have enough experience.” But leadership development is about learning by doing. Young people bring fresh perspectives, and their insights are critical in shaping more relevant and impactful programs.

• “What if they make mistakes?” Mistakes are part of leadership at any age. The key is providing mentorship, guidance, and reflection rather than controlling outcomes.

• “It’s easier if we decide for them.” Efficiency should not be an excuse for exclusion. Decision-making takes time, but co-creation leads to more effective, sustainable solutions.

Shifting from a mindset of control to one of collaboration takes work. It requires organizations to build cultures of trust, provide meaningful leadership opportunities, and actively listen to the voices of young people—not just as a formality, but as a practice that shapes real change.

Moving Beyond Tokenism: Steps for Practitioners and Community Leaders

So, what can educators, nonprofit leaders, and community organizers do to foster genuine youth leadership?

1. Create Structures That Support Youth-Led Decision-Making

One-time youth input is not enough. Create advisory boards with real decision-making power, establish youth-led funding initiatives, or integrate young people into hiring and strategy discussions. Programs like Honeycomb (Jewish teen philanthropy) or Tree House Books (a Philadelphia literacy nonprofit) offer models of meaningful youth involvement.

2. Rethink Leadership Models

Leadership isn’t just about titles—it’s about influence. Move beyond hierarchical structures where young people are always at the bottom. Instead, consider shared leadership models where youth and adults work in partnership.

3. Provide Resources, Not Just Expectations

If we expect youth to lead, we must invest in them. This means offering mentorship, training, and the financial resources needed to bring their ideas to life. Youth leaders should not be expected to work for free or navigate systems without support.

4. Shift the Narrative Around Expertise

We often equate expertise with age, but young people are experts in their own experiences. Their lived realities bring valuable insights into issues like education, climate change, social justice, and technology. We need to take their perspectives as seriously as we do those of seasoned professionals.

5. Normalize Intergenerational Collaboration

Rather than seeing youth leadership as separate from adult leadership, we should be fostering environments where different generations work together as equals. This means valuing youth voices without assuming they need adult approval to be legitimate.

A Call to Action: Rethinking How We Engage Young Leaders

If you are an educator, nonprofit leader, or community organizer, I encourage you to reflect on the role of young people in your work. Are they truly leading, or are they merely present? Are they shaping decisions, or are they expected to follow the path already laid out for them?

We need to move beyond simply giving youth a seat at the table. We need to build tables together—tables where power is truly shared, where leadership is redefined, and where young people are not just participants but architects of the future.

It’s time to ask ourselves: Are we really listening? Are we really sharing power? Are we ready to do the work of co-creating leadership with the next generation?

Let’s not just invite young people into leadership spaces—let’s make sure they have the power to transform them.