The mental attitude of a systemic, constructivist leader within a business organization : a heuristic research project
Year: 2014
Type: dissertation
Abstract: This thesis explores leadership from an inverted or inner perspective of a \nleader. It draws on humanistic, psychological approaches to leadership, and \ndevelops a theory of systemic, constructivist leadership. While systemic, \nconstructivist concepts are well known and accepted methods in therapy, \ncounselling, coaching, and organisational consulting, in leadership there is \nstill a gap between theory and practise. In this study systemic, constructivist \nideas such as self-organization of human systems, radical constructivism, \nand systems theory are transferred, through an experiential learning project \nto leadership practise. Previous research (Steinkellner, 2005) indicated that \nin addition to the understanding of systemic theory and the application of \nsystemic interventions, the specific mental attitude of a leader is required. So \nthis thesis (1) explores the qualities of the mental attitude of a systemic, \nconstructivist leader, (2) reflects on the transformation of the self of a leader \nin an experiential learning process, and (3) develops a theory of systemic, \nconstructivist leadership. The methodology is heuristic inquiry, which \ninvolves the subjectivity of the researcher, and includes introspective \nprocedures such as self-searching, self-dialogue, and self-discovery \n(Moustakas, 1990). Its focus on the inner perspective of a leader is unusual, \nif not unique. Various concepts from humanistic psychology including tacit \nknowledge (Polanyi & Sen, 2009), awareness (Perls, 1973), and focusing \n(Gendlin, 2003) were applied to transcend the concept of rationality both in \nscience and in business. The main contributions of this study are: the \ndescription of a theory of systemic, constructivist leadership and; the design \nof appropriate training to implement this.
Author: Klaus-Peter Reintges
Language: English
Subfield: Strategy and Management
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2238801500