7/29/2019 Session 13 LD11 Authentic Leadership

1/22

Leadership

Northouse, 5th edition

Session 13Authentic Leadership

7/29/2019 Session 13 LD11 Authentic Leadership

2/22

Authentic Leadership Description

Authentic Leadership Defined

Approaches to Authentic Leadership

Factors that Influence Authentic

LeadershipHow does Authentic Leadership theory

work?

Overview

7/29/2019 Session 13 LD11 Authentic Leadership

3/22

Authentic Leadership Description

Authentic Leadershipfocuses onwhether leadership is genuine

Interest in Authentic Leadership Increasing in recent times due to social

upheavals

People longing for trustworthy leaders

Identified earlier in transformationalleadership research but not studiedseparately

Needed evidence-based research of construct

Perspective

7/29/2019 Session 13 LD11 Authentic Leadership

4/22

Authentic Leadership DefinedIntrapersonal Definition:

Leadership based on self-concept and how self-concept relates to actions (Shamir & Eliam,2005)

Relies on the life-story of the leader Followers need to affirm leaders legitimacy

Four Authentic Leadership Characteristics:

ALs exhibit genuine leadership.

ALs lead from conviction

ALs are originals, not copies

ALs base their actions on their values

7/29/2019 Session 13 LD11 Authentic Leadership

5/22

Authentic Leadership Defined

Developmental Definition: Leadership can be nurtured, and develops over a

lifetime (Avolio & Gardner, 2005)

Can be triggered by major life events

Leader behavior is grounded in positive psychologicalqualities and strong ethics

Four authentic leadership components: Self-awareness

Internalized moral perspective Balanced processing

Relational transparency

7/29/2019 Session 13 LD11 Authentic Leadership

6/22

Authentic Leadership Defined

Interpersonal Definition:

Leadership is created by leaders and followers

together (Eagly, 2005)

Leaders need to obtain buy in from followers Intended outcomes achieved only when

followers identify with leaders values

Leaders create change when they adapt theirmessage to followers values

7/29/2019 Session 13 LD11 Authentic Leadership

7/22

Practical Approaches to AuthenticLeadership

Robert Terry (1993)

Action-centered model

Leaders should strive to do what is right

Two core leadership questions:

What is really, really going on?

What are we going to do about it?

Developed Authentic Action Wheel to help leadersframe problems

Locate the problem on the diagnostic wheel

Strategically select an appropriate response to theproblem

Research

7/29/2019 Session 13 LD11 Authentic Leadership

8/22

Terrys Authentic Action Wheel

7/29/2019 Session 13 LD11 Authentic Leadership

9/22

Practical Approaches to AuthenticLeadership

Bill George (2003, 2007)

Leader characteristic model

Leaders have genuine desire to serve others

Five characteristics of Authentic Leaders

Understand their purpose

Strong values

Trusting relationships

Self-discipline

Act from the heart (mission)

Research

7/29/2019 Session 13 LD11 Authentic Leadership

10/22

The Authentic Leaders Characteristics

7/29/2019 Session 13 LD11 Authentic Leadership

11/22

Theoretical Approaches to AuthenticLeadership

Recent research spurred by:

- Leadership summit publications (2005)

- Social upheaval and desire for leadership thatserves the common good

- Need to explore meaning of authentic leadershipand create theoretical framework

- Need to define the construct of authenticleadership

Research

7/29/2019 Session 13 LD11 Authentic Leadership

12/22

Definition of Authentic Leadership

A pattern that draws upon and promotes

both positive psychological capacities

and a positive ethical climate, to foster

greater self-awareness, an internalizedmoral perspective, balanced processing

of information, and relational

transparency on the part of leaders

working with followers, fostering positiveself-development.

Walumbwa, Avolio, Gardner, Wernsing & Peterson, 2008

7/29/2019 Session 13 LD11 Authentic Leadership

13/22

Basic Model of Authentic Leadership

FOUR COMPONENTS:

Self-awareness

Reflecting on ones core values, identity, emotions, motives

Being aware of and trusting your own feelings

Internalized moral perspective

Self-regulatory process using internal moral standards toguide behavior

Balanced processing Ability to analyze informational objectively and explore other

peoples opinions before making a decision

- Relational transparency

Being open and honest in presenting ones true self to others

Leadership as a process

7/29/2019 Session 13 LD11 Authentic Leadership

14/22

Positive psychological capacities

- Confidence

- Hope- Optimism

- Resilience

Moral Reasoning Capacities

- Deciding right and wrong

- Promoting justice, greater good of theorganization or community

Factors that Influence AuthenticLeadership

Antecedent Factors

7/29/2019 Session 13 LD11 Authentic Leadership

15/22

Factors that Influence AuthenticLeadership

Critical Life Events

- Positive or negative Act as a catalyst for change

People attach insights to their life experiences

When people tell life stories they gain clarity about

who they are

Stimulate personal growth

Antecedent Factors

7/29/2019 Session 13 LD11 Authentic Leadership

16/22

How does AuthenticLeadership theory work?

Strengths

Criticisms

Application

7/29/2019 Session 13 LD11 Authentic Leadership

17/22

How does AL theory work?

AL is a complex, developmental process

The practical approaches are prescriptive:

- Terry (1993) What is truly good for the leader, follower andorganization?

- George (2003) 5 characteristics leaders need to be authentic

Theoretical approach describes what

accounts for AL:- Four attributes

- Attributes developed over lifetime, often through critical events

7/29/2019 Session 13 LD11 Authentic Leadership

18/22

Strengths

Fulfills societys expressed need for trustworthyleadership. Fills a void in an uncertain world.

Provides broad guidelines for those who want tobecome authentic leaders. Both practical and

theoretical approaches provide a map.

Like transformational and servant leadership, ALhas an explicit moral dimension.

Unlike traits that only some people exhibit,everyone can learn to be more authentic.

Can be measured using an established instrument(ALQ).

7/29/2019 Session 13 LD11 Authentic Leadership

19/22

Criticisms

The theory is still in the formative stages, so someconcepts in the practical approaches are not fullydeveloped or substantiated.

The moral component of AL is not fully explained. Its

unclear how higher values such as justice informauthentic leadership.

The rationale for including positive psychologicalcapacities as a part of AL has not been clearly

explained by researchers. The link between authentic leadership and positive

organizational outcomes is unclear. It is also not clearwhether AL is sufficient to achieve organizational goals.

7/29/2019 Session 13 LD11 Authentic Leadership

20/22

Application

People have the capacity to become authentic

leaders. It is a lifelong learning process.

Human Resource departments may be able to

foster authentic leadership behaviors inemployees who move into leadership positions.

Leaders are always trying to do the right thing,

to be honest with themselves and others, and towork for the common good.

Leaders are shaped by critical life events that

lead to growth and greater authenticity.

7/29/2019 Session 13 LD11 Authentic Leadership

21/22

Exercise 1

Complete the Authentic Leadership SelfAssessment Questionnaire individually andshare your results in small groups.

Compile a master list showing what rangesof scores on the questionnaire were mostcommonly reported as each group reports itsresults in a large-group discussion.

Discuss your views on the accuracy of yourown scores and to explain the scoresmeaning as related to their own leader-member exchanges.

7/29/2019 Session 13 LD11 Authentic Leadership

22/22

Exercise 2

Discuss in small groups how to useTerrys Authentic Leadership Action

Wheel to diagnose a problem in anorganization that one of you involvedwith. What are the appropriateresponses suggested by the wheel?

How valuable are the suggestions?How accurate? How likely are they tobe used?