Narrative Identity Analyses of Leadership Development

Date of Award

5-1-2022

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy in Leadership Studies, major in Organization Development

First Advisor

Mendiola Teng-Calleja, PhD

Abstract

This study looked at the leadership development of fifteen leaders from the academe, business, and government sectors by using narrative identity analysis. Their leadership narratives were examined for their motivations, values and beliefs, intended ending or legacy, leadership purpose, and broad cultural narratives that underpin their stories. The sequence of events that show beginnings, turning points and resolutions on their journey to becoming leaders were also extracted from the narratives. Results show that leadership development is a journey. Individuals who become leaders have different innate characteristics, values and beliefs and experiences going into an organization. Thus, there should be efforts to understand who these potential leaders are in terms of motivations, prior experiences, and their sense of purpose. Notably, results also show that becoming a leader and the effort to continuously develop as a leader are decisions made by the individual. These resolutions, together with a high level of self-awareness and having a strong leadership purpose, appear to sustain leaders into a generative stage where they see their leadership benefitting others.

Keywords: leadership, leadership development, narrative, narrative identity

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