Capturing value-based leadership in practice: Insights from developing and applying an AI-interview guide
International Journal of Quality and Service Sciences
ISSN: 1756-669X
Article publication date: 11 September 2018
Issue publication date: 15 October 2018
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present and discuss the results from the appreciative inquiry (AI)-inspired interviews to explore the underlying values held by top managers and to identify soft aspects of leadership.
Design/methodology/approach
Top managers were interviewed as a part of a research project with the aim to support the development of value-based leadership that integrates company values, organizational culture, customer needs and sustainable development. A structured interview guide, inspired by AI, was developed and used to pinpoint their motivation and vision of a good organization to understand the values that the managers had and to identify soft aspects of leadership. The interviews were analyzed in workshops with the whole research team and structured and visualized through affinity diagrams.
Findings
The results showed the underlying values held by top managers and identified soft aspects of leadership.
Practical implications
The presented interview guide can be used to identify the top managers’ underlying values, and the presented results from the interviews can be used to inspire other managers and leaders to develop their leadership in their striving of good leadership and effective organizations.
Originality/value
The paper explains how to apply an AI-inspired interview guide in finding out value-based leadership and soft aspects of leadership for enhancing organizational culture.
Keywords
Citation
Bäckström, I., Ingelsson, P., Snyder, K., Hedlund, C. and Lilja, J. (2018), "Capturing value-based leadership in practice: Insights from developing and applying an AI-interview guide", International Journal of Quality and Service Sciences, Vol. 10 No. 4, pp. 422-430. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJQSS-01-2018-0004
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2018, Emerald Publishing Limited