Common factors in successful South African business leaders who practice the authentic form of leadership

Abstract

The globalisation of the world economy has resulted in a fundamental shift in the way businesses and economies operate. In addition to this, new challenges like terrorism, political conflicts, climate change challenges, diseases like AIDS which have the greatest effect on the most productive members of the economy, are all coming together, resulting in a dramatic shift of the business landscape. It is evident that the status quo can no longer be maintained and a new type of leadership is urgently needed if there is any hope of averting the crises that the world is facing. The purpose of this qualitative study is to recognise the need for a new type of take on these new challenges in addition to the business leader who is more equipped to normal duties of running and managing a successful business. Through the study of leadership theory on authentic leadership and the models used to characteristics of leadership in each model is made. Thereafter, the components outlined in each model are combined to co-construct a new model to be used as the basis of articulating what it means to be a “grounded” leader. The key findings (characteristics of an authentic leader) from the literature review are then tested for validity on a sample of leaders in the South African business community. The business leaders that have been chosen are highly successful and some lead companies with a global footprint, although still based in South Africa. The leaders are chosen from various industries to minimise industry bias. A prepared questionnaire is used as a basis for the research for consistency purposes. After this exercise, the components that have been identified in academic research and verified by leaders in industry,are collated and put forward as the factors that are required for being a “grounded”business leader. The results of this research attempt to unpack the “grounded” aspect of the Leadership Development Framework as proposed by Professor Drikus Kriek.