Towards Purpose-Driven Leadership
Abstract
This dissertation aimed to explore leadership through viewing it as a purpose-driven collectiveprocess. Traditionally, leadership has been viewed as an influence process where leadersdirected followers, which has prevented exploring the essence of leadership. This old tripodontology is challenged by viewing leadership as collectively producing PAC- purpose,alignment and commitment, through three practices: change readiness, psychological safetyand futures literacy. Exploring how these can be implemented and the implications, creates thebasis for the analysis.
The world view of this dissertation is interpretivism. Through qualitative analysis, sevencategories emerged as relevant for answering the research question. The findings revealed thedelivery of PAC calls for improvement, as there is a lack of clear purpose. Identifying andcommunicating a clear purpose will be beneficial, as it guides everyone towards a commongoal. In addition, findings imply that leadership culture supports implementation of PAC, basedon views from informants.
Exploring leadership through PAC contributed to a broader understanding of peoples’involvement and understanding of leadership, compared to the tripod view, as it acknowledgesthe collective contribution. Through a cultural approach to leadership, viewing it as acontinuous flow of practices, the understanding of why and how to implement PAC isstrengthened. This is due to a deeper comprehension of interactions and relationships withinthe organisation. Implications of introducing PAC were both positive and negative. Findingssuggest that it will lead to more inclusion, common sense of purpose, clear communication,strengthening the sense of responsibility and ownership. The main concern was the lack ofinclusion of staff in futures processes, as it decreases ownership, readiness alignment andcommitment. Together with an undefined purpose, it results in more individual working asopposed to collective.
Future students are recommended to build on this dissertation through the use of differentmethods and practices. Futures literacy should also be further explored, and existing leadershiptheory challenged. Further, practitioners are recommended to deliver leadership through PACand implement leadership as practice by introducing the relevant practices. Together withknowledge transfer and embracing failure, this will encourage involvement and contribution