A narrative analysis of two gifted political leaders: Agentic and communal motivations in the political accomplishments of highly talented women

Abstract

This article proposes that researchers should seek to understand the value conflicts inherent in the career choices of gifted students. This study explored those conflicts using a narrative analysis based on the McAdams (1993) model of personal meaning-making. The subjects were two gifted female political leaders: Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and Jacinda Ardern. The findings showed that each leader enacted predominantly agentic motives in responding to political challenges and crises; communal motives were enacted as well, but with lower frequency. These results are discussed in relation to the conflicting values and motivations that extraordinarily talented students encounter in forming a cohesive life plan.