Trigger events and crucibles in authentic leaders' development
Journal of Management Development
ISSN: 0262-1711
Article publication date: 25 February 2020
Issue publication date: 7 April 2020
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
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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