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Trigger events and crucibles in authentic leaders' development

Mark R. Shannon (Oklahoma Wesleyan University, Bartlesville, Oklahoma, USA)
Maurice Buford (School of Business and Leadership, Regent University, Virginia Beach, Virginia, USA)
Bruce E. Winston (School of Business and Leadership, Regent University, Virginia Beach, Virginia, USA)
James Andy Wood (School of Business and Leadership, Regent University, Virginia Beach, Virginia, USA)

Journal of Management Development

ISSN: 0262-1711

Article publication date: 25 February 2020

Issue publication date: 7 April 2020

1184

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the role of trigger events and leadership crucibles in the lives of authentic leaders. The study was based on two theories: authentic leadership theory and born versus made theory.

Design/methodology/approach

Participants were included in the study if they scored between 64 and 80 on the Authentic Leadership Questionnaire (ALQ). The qualified leaders were then asked to participate in a qualitative interview utilizing an interview guide born out of the relevant literature. The interview followed the guidelines of the Critical Incident Technique (CIT).

Findings

The data indicated that trigger events and leadership crucibles play a significant role in authentic leadership development.

Practical implications

Practitioners should emphasize the prominent themes of self-awareness, relational transparency, balanced processing and moral perspective and the connection with other themes that emerged from the current study when developing or training leaders. Furthermore, practitioners concerned with creating an authentic leadership culture may consider the findings of the current study to develop and employ hiring and promotion strategies that increase the probabilities of hiring and promoting leaders that exhibit authentic leadership behaviors.

Originality/value

The findings of the research indicate that trigger events and crucibles both affect authentic leadership development. The research findings confirm characteristics associated with authentic leadership theory were predominant in the participants. However, one theme that prevailed was that of spirituality, which may or may not be considered to be part of an authentic leader's moral perspective

Keywords

Citation

Shannon, M.R., Buford, M., Winston, B.E. and Wood, J.A. (2020), "Trigger events and crucibles in authentic leaders' development", Journal of Management Development, Vol. 39 No. 3, pp. 324-333. https://doi.org/10.1108/JMD-02-2019-0039

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited

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