Lauren Dodge 

Dr. Wood 

Leadership 1301 

10 October 2018 

Chapter 9 Questions  

Chapter 9: Authentic Leadership 

1. Be able to summarize the early period of research of authentic leadership. Who are some of the scholars known for research of authentic leadership? What were their research questions?

Authentic leadership has become more known through events like 9/11, corporate scandals, the “fake news” talk, and foreign influence. This has all created anxiety, so much so people want elected officials they can trust. Authentic leadership holds this personable touch for trust. Bass, Steidlemeier, Burns, Howell, and Avoilo are all researchers involved in the earlier studies. They strive to identify parameters and conceptualize the idea of authentic leadership.  

2. How are the practical and theoretical approaches to studying authentic leadership similar or different? How do they compare to the teleological and deontological approaches to studying ethical leadership?

The practical approach has evolved from real-life studies and experiences, whereas the theoretical approach has evolved from social studies and ideas. The practical approach has served to prove that authentic leaders have an obvious set of values.  

3. Why is authentic leadership hard to define? Describe the three different definitions of authentic leadership. What does each definition contribute to our understanding of this concept?

It is a complex process that is difficult to characterize. The intrapersonal perspective focuses on the leader him/herself and what goes on within the leader-knowledge, regulation, concept. The interpersonal perspective outlines it as relational created by leaders and followers together. The developmental perspective discusses it as something that can be nurtured in a leader, rather than a fixed trait.  

4. What are the five basic characteristics of authentic leadership, according to Bill George? How does George’s approach compare to the trait approach? The Big 5?

1. Strong sense of purpose 

1. Strong values about the right thing to do  

1. Establish trusting relationships with others 

1. Demonstrate self-discipline and act on their values 

1. Sensitive and empathetic to the plight of others 

5. What is the difference between passion and compassion in George’s AL model?

Passion is driven by a purpose, whereas compassion is driven by love and care and potentially ethical reasons.  

6. How are the dimensions of AL related to the characteristics of AL in George’s model?

The dimensions are what drives the characteristics. For example: what someone value will determine how that person behave towards certain situations.  

7. Using Walumbwa et al.’s (2008) definition of authentic leadership, distinguish between leader behaviors and traits. What are outcomes of authentic leadership? What is the follower role?

The greatest mentioned outcome is self-development of the leader which includes morals, balance, and relationships. It is up to the leader to develop the relationship with the follower.  

8. What are some of the effects of authentic leadership on followers?

Just like the introduction suggested followers want, authentic leadership develops a trust from followers to leaders and are more apt to make similar ethical decisions. Leaders are perceived as trustworthy and believable.  

9. What is the relationship between team climate and authentic leadership?

Researchers found a direct relationship with greater employee creativity. Followers are more likely to thrive at work.  

10. How is self-awareness in the AL approach different from the psychodynamic approach? Can you identify a person who exemplifies this component of the model?

A person who has self-awareness will be able to determine the difference between right and wrong with ethical situations. They will be able to determine when they are making the best decisions as a whole.   

11. How does authentic leadership fit with the following components of leadership: process, influence, group context, and goal attainment?

As with most theories, good leadership starts with a goal. You can’t develop or make improvements if you don’t know what your developing for. With this comes the process of attaining this goal through the idea of authentic leadership. This theory approaches the process through trustworthiness and believability.  

12. What are the strengths and criticisms of the Authentic Leadership approach?

Strengths  

• Fulfills a need for trustworthiness 

• Broad guidelines  
• Moral dimension 
• Values and behaviors can be developed  
• Can be measured 

Criticisms  

• Still in formative stages  
• Moral component not explained  
• Should psychological capacities be included? 
• Unclear in positive outcomes