Authentic Leadership: A Study Exploring the Relationship Between Authentic Leadership and Learning Agility

Authentic Leadership: A Study Exploring the Relationship Between Authentic Leadership and Learning Agility

Cindy-Lou Drummond | 2025

Abstract

This study explored the relationship between authentic leadership and learning agility. A global crisis prevails in the 21st century and is described as an environment of volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity (VUCA). This environment permeates all aspects of life and has left people untrusting and disillusioned. Scholars and practitioners see this atmosphere as a clarion call for leadership that demonstrates integrity and the ability to navigate the unknown. Leaders must develop these positive traits and attributes, which are not generally innate. Scholarly research has suggested that authentic leadership is the root of positive leadership and that the development of leadership results from a willingness to learn and to learn from experience. However, there is little research on the relationship between authentic leadership development and learning agility. Using two surveys (Authentic Leadership Questionnaire and Burke Learning Agility Inventory), this study was presented to a representative sample of adult leaders to address this lack of research. The results were analyzed using correlation analysis and indicated a positive association of the authentic leadership variables and the learning agility variables. The study’s results allow further research engagement between authentic leadership, authentic leadership development, and learning agility. While learning agility is critical to leadership development, explicitly focusing on authentic leadership development will have practical application in a VUCA environment.

Keywords: authentic leadership, learning agility, VUCA