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Messenger of Hope: A Narrative Inquiry into the Historical Biography of the Apostle Paul and His Meaning of Hope

Messenger of Hope: A Narrative Inquiry into the Historical Biography of the Apostle Paul and His Meaning of Hope

David Allen Jaco | 2024

Abstract

Hope theory (Snyder, 1994) has provided a sound understanding of hope that can be analyzed in multiple disciplines as a way of learning how their academic field can be improved. This dissertation sought to use a narrative analysis with hope theory as a theoretical lens to analyze the historical biography of the Apostle Paul to learn his early use of hope theory in his field of work as a way of using the concepts of hope theory to analyze Paul’s meaning of hope. The biographical novel The Apostle by John Pollock was used as a research sample because of its multidisciplinary integration accuracy of geography, culture, weather, and historical detail. The initial steps of the analysis identified the different stories, verified historical details, and then coded the stories with a theoretical framework about hope theory and leadership developed earlier. The initial combination of the stories was simplified using narrative smoothing to produce a narrative summary. The data from this summary were deductively selected for their appropriate detail, and an objective statement about the selection was created as a finding(s) to allow further analysis. These findings were used to provide the answers to the four research questions as the means to consolidate the findings. The findings and the answers to the research questions identified the five prominent significant themes; life without hope provides a new understanding of how despair and hope conflicted. The study of Paul’s lived experiences added a new understanding of prehope and despair. These issues led to new experiences that precede hope’s Point A, which led to a more systematic process in developing hope in Paul’s life. His life was seen as cyclical in living hope and a need to resolve unique barriers in his future. The emergence of the barriers and supernatural themes added new knowledge about applying hope theory in real life. The conclusions from this narrative analysis looking at Paul retrospectively provide a more informed view of how hope theory works in real life and how modern-day life can benefit from this enhanced outline of his life.

Compelled to Lead: From Mentee to Mentor

Compelled to Lead: From Mentee to Mentor – A Narrative Study of Leadership Development Within a Relationship-Focused Mentoring Model

Steven Lamar Jones | 2024

Abstract

Through this study, the researcher aimed to gain greater insight into mentoring’s impact on holistic leadership development. The existing body of literature has revealed mentoring’s ability to develop effectual relationships that reciprocally advance through modeling, knowledge, skills, and the psychosocial development of both the mentor and mentee (Ismail et al., 2015; Johnson et al., 1999; Trice, 2021). Indeed, relationships are integral to developing human socialization skills, which result from connecting with others through structured social groups, intimate groups, community groups, and world groups (Pescaru, 2018; Sterling, 1998). Yet, it is understood that not all mentoring motifs are equal (Clark & Mils, 1993; Lee & Chon, 2021; Ragins & Verbos, 2017). In fact, mentoring grounded in principles that result in success metrics couched in exchange norms produces different outcomes compared to mentoring experiences built on communal motivations (Clark & Mils, 1993; Haidusek-Niazy et al., 2023; Lee & Chon, 2021). The literature suggests that mentoring engagements founded on communal relationships result in close relational bonds (Dutton & Heaphy, 2003; Strydom, 2021). Further, communal mentoring relationships that result in strong bonds foster growth, learning, and personal and professional development (Trice, 2021). To that end, the participants of this study included six individuals who have participated as a mentee in mentoring engagements lasting at least 6 months and whose engagements also demonstrated a strong relational component. These participants narrated their experiences in open-ended interview sessions, answering 13 open-ended questions, resulting in rich phenomenological data. The qualitative analysis of that data indicates that their mentoring experience functioned as a transformative leadership development encounter, producing within them leader identity traits and a desire to lead others. The importance of authentic trust (Wright, 2018) in developing identity, whether it starts as dysfunctional or between friends, cannot be overlooked. Mutually earned trust scored the highest among all themes (60) emerging from the participants’ narratives. Consequently, leadership development resulted when time and the processes required to build trust were allowed preeminence.

A Qualitative Study on Leaders Overcoming Childhood Sexual Trauma

A Qualitative Study on Leaders Overcoming Childhood Sexual Trauma

Valerie McLaughlin | 2024

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the experiences of individuals who have triumphed over childhood sexual trauma (CST) to become leaders. Many individuals have endured CST experiences leading some to silently battle feelings of sadness and make decisions they regret. Many CST survivors experience feelings of uncertainty, fear, or questioning of one’s existence. However, some individuals manage to rise above their CST and emerge as leaders who support others and are recognized for their guidance. They reach a place of stability, clarity, satisfaction, and a sense of purpose and peace. Ultimately, these survivors emerge as resilient leaders. This study involved 30-minute interviews with 11 female participants, aged 37 to 74, of African American and Caucasian descent with varying educational backgrounds. Open-ended questions were used to gather insights and facilitate in-depth discussions to address three research questions, which were further explored through eight interview questions. The results of this study supported the research purpose and were presented under the following headings: Table of Demographics, Transcripts with Codes, a table of the List of Codes, Number of Coding References Graph, Matrix Coding Query Graph, Matrix Coding Query – Results Preview Diagram, Word Clouds Diagrams, Clusters of Codes, Research Questions, Overall Impact, and Word Similarity Cluster diagram. Key findings from this study revealed that the participants exhibited various Adverse Adult Outcomes (AAOs), with the most prominent being Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) throughout their healing journeys. However, the participants also demonstrated positive outcomes on their path to leadership, including compassion and empathy, self-awareness, transparency, moral/ethical values, balanced processing, and resilience. All participants exhibited resilience. The study has implications for survivors of CST, highlighting their ability to triumph over their pain and use their experiences as a catalyst for personal growth and transformation. Their resilience was the fundamental catalyst driving their survival and a significant source of strength for them as influential leaders.

Toward an Understanding of the Cross-Dimensional Phenomenon of Emergent Eschatological Informing

Toward an Understanding of the Cross-Dimensional Phenomenon of Emergent Eschatological Informing

Patrick Stanley Millsap | 2024

Abstract

The qualitative study revealed that God crosses over the boundary of the kingdom of God and communicates with Christian leaders and followers in the dimension of humanity in a way they can comprehend through faith. Terms such as revelation, inspiration, prophecy, divine guidance, discernment, word of wisdom, word of knowledge, tongues, dreams, vision, or a word or act emanating from God in some way have been used to denote God’s communication in the world. These forms of communication are combined in the study under the rubric of emergent eschatological informing (EEI), which reveals that God speaks to humanity to bring believers into God’s intention to be All in All in love. EEI is initiated by God and reveals how He directs humanity from creation until the return of Christ as the ultimate eschatological event; thus, God’s living cosmogeny includes eschatological informing that moves humanity toward God’s directed end. The study identifies that God speaks toward His intended purpose, which is accomplished through the logic and processes of the kingdom of God. Thus, the research question of how an individual understands the phenomenon of God’s EEI from another dimension is answered in this study. The methods used for the study consist of content analysis and inner texture. Scripture and literature were analyzed to delineate the domains of the kingdom of God, principalities and powers, and the human dimension. The domain of the kingdom of God was found to emit a tone, or frequency, of the fruit of the Holy Spirit. The domain of principalities and powers revealed a different tone that is grounded in sin and the concept of the self-conceiving self, which does not acknowledge God as the creator and sustainer of all that exists. The dimension of humanity is the dimension that God speaks into, as input, to achieve His intention, vision, purpose, and mission. Nine propositions that relate to EEI were answered in the affirmative in the study. The study also revealed the existence of several flow states that allow for the development of a validated instrument for further research.

The Influence of Resilience on Servant Leadership

The Influence of Resilience on Servant Leadership

Nicole S. Parker | 2024

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to conduct research using a bounded case study method to enhance the understanding of the influence of resilience on servant leadership, specifically the contributing factors that inspire servant leaders to endure challenging experiences while remaining committed to their role as servants. Resilience matters, and the field of leadership development needs to understand its significance. Resilience can exert influence, encourage a vision, and stimulate a sustained effort to overcome challenges. The willingness and desire to overcome challenges begins through relationships that support healing, determination, consideration, concern, and understanding. Servant leadership is one of those relationships that has the potential to cultivate positivity and belief that a person’s life still has meaning and that they are still valued and important beyond the challenge. Resilience is recognized as a solution to reducing the impact of environmental pressures, improving coping, adapting, and recovering from adversity, decreasing stress, and alleviating the decline in job performance due to challenges. Servant leadership has also been acknowledged for relieving environmental stress. With resilience and servant leadership mitigating the impact of environmental hardships and stressors, resilience literature indicated a theoretical relationship between the two concepts. Servant leaders who exhibit behaviors within the framework of the five behavioral dimensions potentially exhibit resilient behaviors that may support the theoretical concept of the influence of resilience on servant leadership. Eight themes provided essential aspects that align with specific leadership attributes to support and develop follower resilience. A vision for future research encompassed a phenomenological study to understand the factors that indicate the potential facilitation process of resilience through servant leadership and a mixed-method study to measure and validate servant leadership as an adequate facilitation process for enhancing and building resilience.

Trust in Army Officers: A Causal-Comparative Study Exploring the Relationship Between Leader Emotional Intelligence, Leader-Member Exchange, and Subordinate Trust in Army Leaders

Trust in Army Officers: A Causal-Comparative Study Exploring the Relationship Between Leader Emotional Intelligence, Leader-Member Exchange, and Subordinate Trust in Army Leaders

Mitchell Payne | 2024

Abstract

This research study examined the relationship between leader emotional intelligence (EI), leader-member exchange (LMX), and organizational trust among Army officers. Using a quantitative approach, the researcher hypothesized that EI and LMX were correlated (H1, H2) and predictive (H3, H4, H5) of organizational trust. This research used a 39-item cross-sectional survey comprising six demographic questions and combined three existing instruments to measure subordinate perceptions of leader EI, LMX, and organizational trust. The use of subordinate responses eliminated self-reporting bias and simplified data collection. After receiving approval from the various military agencies to conduct research on Active-Duty Army Soldiers, the survey was sent to over 1,500 Army officers stationed at Fort Leavenworth, KS in September 2023. The survey had a response rate of 18.8%, but only had a viable response rate of 11.5%, which still exceeded the minimum threshold to generalize the results with statistical significance. After the data collection was complete, the researcher conducted data analysis consisting of descriptive statistics for the demographic questions, instrument reliability tests, correlation tests, and regression testing. The results of the data analysis supported the research hypotheses, showing a positive and statistically significant correlation between the three variables, as well as showing that leader EI and LMX were significantly predictive of organizational trust. Additional findings indicated that women reported statistically significant lower levels of trust. The theoretical and practical implications were discussed, along with the study’s significance, limitations, and suggestions for future research.

Resonance and Its Influence on African American Participation/Membership in the Christian Church Disciples of Christ as Observed in Preston Taylor

Resonance and Its Influence on African American Participation/Membership in the Christian Church Disciples of Christ as Observed in Preston Taylor’s Discourse

George William Pinkard | 2024

Abstract

The purpose of this qualitative study was to answer the question: How did the early African American Disciples of Christ (DOC) leaders and members interpret reality (i.e., what unique cognitive structures existed among African American DOC members) that shaped their decision to join/remain in a historically racist denomination? To answer this question, after exploring the DOC document archives, this study selected to limit its scope to an original historical document from Preston Taylor—a prototypical African American leader within the DOC, who presented this corpus only 50 years after the Emancipation Proclamation. Using a phenomenological lens and a conceptual framework that included resonance (Giorgi, 2017), Neale’s (1987) connection between cultural and social identity and group behavioral issues, and sensemaking (Weick, Sutcliffe, & Obstfeld, 2005), the seminal, thematically rich 5-page work entitled Preston Taylor, The Status and Outlook of the Colored Brotherhood by the Honorable Reverend Preston Taylor (1917) was coded and sorted into three metathemes: (a) color-related themes, (b) people-related themes, and (c) church-related themes. Seven principles emerged from these themes: (a) colored people must be organized for work; (b) the DOC needs to develop true New Testament Christian behavior/character toward and among colored people, (c) the DOC has been ignorant and neglectful and shown disdain toward colored brothers, (d) stereotypes and suspicions of DOC against developing or trusting colored leadership must be challenged, (e) White DOC brothers are still our brothers, (f) colored people who discover their value/worth rise above the adverse circumstances/conditions, and (g) stereotypes and suspicions of DOC against developing or trusting colored leadership must be challenged.

Keywords: social identity, ecclesial group behavior, Disciples of Christ, ecclesial sensemaking, overcoming ecclesial racial disparity, ecclesial racial reconciliation

The Impact of Perceived Leadership Care and Concern on Employees

The Impact of Perceived Leadership Care and Concern on Employees’ Sense of Well-Being: A Case Study of Gen Z in the Philippines

Lady Anne Angeles | 2024

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine and illuminate the impact of leadership care and concern on employees’ sense of well-being. This qualitative study used the bounded case study method. The purposive sampling method was employed, and semistructured one-on-one interviews with 10 Gen Z Filipino employees in the Philippines were conducted via Zoom technology. The findings of the study include 15 themes associated with the impact of leadership behaviors on employees’ sense of well-being, 10 themes associated with leadership care, and eight themes associated with leadership concern. The findings add to the sparse knowledge and understanding of care and concern as organizational leadership behaviors that many organizations can learn and adopt to improve employee well-being and gain competitive advantage. Organizations can use the insights from this study to update their leadership strategies and develop relevant training programs that will enable emerging and seasoned people leaders to demonstrate appropriate care and concern to affect employee well-being. Future research on organizational leadership could build upon the specific themes of the findings of this study to expand the literature on how leaders can model care and concern to improve employee well-being and contribute to organizational effectiveness. For instance, future research can build upon the theme of accountability, which addresses how leadership behaviors affect employee well-being.

Keywords: care, concern, Filipinos, Gen Z, well-being

The Art of Giving Away Leadership: A Qualitative Study of Servant Leadership in Practice

The Art of Giving Away Leadership: A Qualitative Study of Servant Leadership in Practice

Ritchard George Bergen | 2024

Abstract

This qualitative study explored the research question: How do servant leaders give away leadership while retaining a respectful organizational culture? Servant and shared leadership theories informed the 13 exploratory interview questions. The data revealed that servant leaders balance the challenge of putting the best interest of their followers first while simultaneously cultivating new servant leaders. The data also revealed that servant leaders understood how shared leadership functions best within a hierarchical structure. The emergence of seven themes in the data suggested that servant leaders rely heavily on servant leadership behavior and social skills, as these two themes appeared more often than the combined totals of the other five themes. The themes of long-term perspective, intentional leadership development, cultural awareness, and organizational leadership were not as prominent but still highly valued by the participants. The least conspicuous of the seven themes was spiritual perspective, which was sometimes included in the literature as an attribute of servant leadership but kept separate in this study because most participants worked in faith-based environments, and I desired to learn how they included their belief system. The fact of its minimal presence among this group suggested they practiced their spiritual perspectives through servant leadership. Thirteen interview questions were developed from servant leadership and shared leadership theory to explore the phenomenon. Ten participants who self-identified as servant leaders, had a minimum of 10 years of senior leadership experience, and lived in six different countries on three continents participated in the study. The interviews were conducted and recorded on Zoom, transcribed, coded, and analyzed to discover seven main themes. The seven themes were all comprised of the descriptive codes from the data. The descriptive codes were discussed, as well as how the responses to the interview questions supported the scholarly and practitioner literature, enriching the conceptual theories with current and nuanced examples of how servant leaders practice the art of giving away leadership while retaining respectful organizational cultures. Recommendations for future research included the development of a servant leadership training program, and more diverse participant sampling, comparing and contrasting their responses in various contexts.

Keywords: organizational culture, servant leadership, shared leadership

Courageous Followership Characterized Within an African American Sorority

Courageous Followership Characterized Within an African American Sorority

Selene Hudson Brent | 2024

Abstract

The purpose of this quantitative exploratory study was to determine if a difference exists between courageous followership behaviors and the generational cohorts within a multigenerational sorority. The Followership Profile (TFP) and a demographic questionnaire were used to measure the courageous followership behaviors of the participants by generational cohort. The study also explored the differences between tenure within the organization and courageous followership behaviors. Participants were at least 18 years of age and belonged to Baby Boomers, Generation X, Millennials, or Generation Z generational cohort. The sample was recruited from members of Zeta Alpha Phi Sorority (pseudonym). The theoretical framework was based on courageous followership, as defined by Chaleff (1995, 2009), and the generational cohort theory. The two independent variables were generational cohorts and tenure. The courageous followership behaviors were the dependent variables. The organizational profile indicated that courageous followership behaviors were present across all generations and tenure groups. The results showed that there was not a significant difference in behaviors between the generational cohorts. Tenure also did not indicate a significant difference in courageous followership behaviors. This research provided a baseline and characterization profile for the Zeta Alpha Phi Sorority. The results could be used to further cultivate followership behaviors in the organizational culture. Future studies may use these results as a starting point to continue examining the effects of tenure and generational cohorts on nontraditional domains such as nonprofits, service, or fraternal organizations.