Digital Commons Network^™

Equifinality And The Key Role It Plays In Understanding The Future Of Leadership, Sam T. Hunter, Austin C. Doctor, Matthew Allen, Gina Scott Ligon

Reports, Projects, and Research

As organizations continue to increase in diversity across a range of demographic, value-based, and attitudinal variables, there can be a natural tension around differing styles and approaches to leading. We offer that these differences need not necessarily serve as a source of conflict if organizations are able to embrace the principle of equifinality. Equifinality, applied to leadership, represents the notion that there is more than one pathway to leading successfully. By focusing on equifinality as a core principle, stylistic differences can add to the fabric of organizational life rather than being a source of tension in it. We offer an …

To Risk It All: Nine Conflicts And The Crucible Of Decision, Anna Matilde Bassoli, James Stavridis

Naval War College Review

No abstract provided.

The Boundary Of Blame: How Inka Elite Exploited The Instrumental Agency Of The Deceased In The Andean Afterlife As A Legitimation Strategy, Sarah Bender

Anthropology Undergraduate Senior Theses

In many Mesoamerican and Andean cultures, divine rulers were directly responsible for interceding with the natural and spiritual world to ensure prosperity for the people. When these interventions failed, the legitimacy of the rulership was undermined. To mitigate this occurrence, Inka god-kings carefully installed a social buffer of liability or "boundary of blame” around themselves. Integrating translated historical accounts from the Early Colonial period with existing archaeological evidence, I argue for a new interpretation of Inka legitimation strategies that considers how living Sapa Inkas distributed responsibility (and blame) among themselves, deceased rulers and nobility, and victims of ritual sacrifice. Employing …

The Importance Of Humor As A Leadership Skill, Bruce Haller

Business: Faculty Presentations

Humor is an important skill for leaders. This paper examines the underappreciation and underutilization of humor as a tool that studies conclude can improve relationships, decrease stress, and enhance productivity in the workplace. While inappropriate humor such as aggressive humor can have a negative effect, effective use of humor by leaders, supervisors, and subordinates can have multiple positive changes on organizational culture. Understanding what humor is and how it can be implemented as an impactful organizational and leadership tool is the purpose of this scholarship. Leadership is as important for the success of an organization as it is misunderstood and …

Exploring The Application Of Compassionate Leadership Behaviors In The Workplace, Tracy L. Laurie

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

This qualitative case study answers the central research question “How are compassionate leadership behaviors encouraged and/or discouraged in the workplace?” Interviews with five individuals from one work team in an Am Law 100 law firm revealed how the compassionate leadership behaviors of integrity, accountability, presence, empathy, authenticity, and dignity (Shuck et al., 2019) were applied at work. This research explored four themes: leadership courage, growth mindset, empowerment, and coaching performance. Each theme has four subthemes further describing the data: Leadership courage: managing consistently and fairly, being transparent, communicating honestly, and taking risks; Growth mindset: working intentionally, developing others, learning continuously, …

In What Ways Are Schools, Districts And States Proactively Supporting The Mental Health Of Their Teachers To Reduce Teacher Turnover And Burnout?, Lauren Meyer

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

Teacher mental health is of high concern when looking at the number of teachers leaving the profession. Schools are facing high levels of turnover due to teacher burnout. This issue did not arise as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, but the number of teachers leaving has increased since 2020. Teachers are feeling burnt out due to underlying issues of the education system. This research involves the reasons why teachers are feeling burnt out, what educators can do to help build self-resilience, and what leadership teams can implement to support teachers within their schools. The research goes broader and identifies …

Supporting Self-Efficacy Through Mindset: The Impact Of A Growth Mindset Innovation On The Self-Efficacy Of Middle School Students In A Teen Leadership Course, Shannon J. Kojah

Theses and Dissertations

Understanding how the disposition of a student interacts with or influences a behavior plays a central role in cognitive theories. Middle school years have been accounted for as being difficult, awkward, and sometimes downright stressful. The overall purpose of this action research was to examine the impact of a growth mindset innovation using a digital portfolio on the self-efficacy of middle school students in a leadership course. The research questions were: (1) How can a growth mindset intervention using a digital portfolio support self-efficacy improvement in middle school students taking a leadership course? (2) What are students’ perceptions on their …

Public School Superintendents In Virginia: Innovating In The Educational Context, Daniel Firing Keever

Educational Leadership & Workforce Development Theses & Dissertations

This research study, using institutional theory as a framework, examines the role of superintendents in promoting and impacting innovation in Virginia's public schools. The study engaged fourteen current Virginia superintendents in semi-structured interviews, exploring their perspectives on fostering an innovative culture within their school districts. Three primary themes emerged from the research: defining innovation, the role of superintendents in leading innovation, and the challenges and barriers to innovation. Generally, the findings highlight that innovation fundamentally involves thinking differently, finding creative solutions, and bringing about meaningful organizational improvements. The study emphasizes that innovation is essential for adapting to the evolving needs …

Shared Experiences Of Novice School Principals' Mentor Training: A Phenomenological Study Of The Experience Of Peer Educators, Bryan Martyn

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study is to explore the shared experiences of novice school principals’ mentor training and to gain an understanding of the experience of peer educators. This dissertation employed a qualitative case study methodology to interview Arizona principals with less than three years of experience who did not receive district-provided, formal mentorship training during their first years as principals to determine their experiences and support needs. I assessed the current literature on inexperienced principal mentorship programs in the United States via the lens of Kram’s Mentoring Model and then linked this literature to the principals’ reported concerns. …

The Magnet Journey: Understanding The Role Of Unit Culture In Evidence-Based Practice Adoption, Kim Schippits

Dissertations

The purpose of this exploratory study was to identify salient cognitive beliefs and cultural assumptions that affect the emergence and maintenance of evidence-based practice (EBP) in the hospital setting.

Exploring Habits Of Well-Being Rooted In Resiliency Among Ministry Leaders Having Experienced A Leadership Transition Of Senior Pastor In The Church: A Case Study, Eric D. Willis

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative phenomenological single case study sought to understand potential influence of well-being and resilience of ministry leaders where an unplanned leadership transition had occurred. With an interest in personal well-being of ministry leaders, the researcher was curious how those who remained on church staff endured a 2-year period between the departure of one senior pastor and the hiring of a new senior pastor. Much of the existing research on church leadership transitions focused on the negative factors associated with failures. Generally, there is a lack of understanding of the positive influences of well-being and resiliency. The researcher sought to …

Unit-Based Onboarding Program For New Graduates On A Medical-Surgical Unit, Racquel A. Brewster

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Nurse turnover is prevalent among new graduate nurses. Many new graduate nurses feel unsupported by their peers, lack self-confidence, or feel overburdened due to the workload assigned to them. New graduate nurses with support systems are more likely to stay with an organization. Research suggests the creation of a supportive environment for new graduate nurses to help increase nurse retention in this demographic. A unit-based transition onboarding program was launched to create a supportive environment to help retain new graduate nurses on a medical-surgical unit. New graduate nurses with at least 1 to 3 years of experience completed a Likert-type …

Exploring Intersectionality Of Gender, Race, And Personality Traits For Black Women Leaders In Online Higher Education, Shanaya K. Anderson

Journal of Research Initiatives

Researchers have used previous literature to suggest that Black women face challenges and obstacles in seeking leadership roles at higher education institutions (HEIs). Many of these Black women have consistently and pervasively faced prevailing stereotypes, biases, and barriers as they seek career advancements at online HEIs (Nigar, 2020; Tarbutton, 2019). This qualitative phenomenological study was undertaken to examine the intersectionality of gender, race, and personality traits of Black women leaders who hold positions of department chair level or higher in HEIs. Using the theoretical framework of Black feminist thought, this research was conducted to understand better the lived experiences of …

Leadership Characteristics Of Youth And Sport City Managers And Its Role On Quality Performance, Entrepreneurship And Excellence From The Perspective Of The Cities Administrators, Sofia Akroush

Al-Balqa Journal for Research and Studies البلقاء للبحوث والدراسات

This Study aims at identifying the role that leadership characteristics play on performance quality, entrepreneurship and excellence from the perspective of the youth and sport cities administrators, and it also suggests a model of leadership characteristics that must be available in youth and sports cities managers. The researcher used descriptive approach, the sample was randomly selected, the sample was (61), (32) sub-managers and (29) managers. The questionnaire was used as a tool to collect the data, whereby especially questionnaire is built that surveys six fields: The administrative field, the leadership field, the creativity entrepreneurship and excellence field, the investment field, …

Biblical Leadership: Combatting Authoritarianism, Katherine M. Inman

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The radio station in Oil City, Pa became a non-existent entity when the owner sold the organization. This caused dissatisfaction among many members of the community, as well as resentment among former employees. Understanding the leadership's impact provides insight into the radio station's potential sustainability or inevitable failure. This phenomenological study allows for a focus on the events surrounding the radio station's sale, which sheds light on the leadership style used by the radio station's most recent owner. Each interviewee offers a unique perspective, including information about the events that led up to the radio station's sale. The study of …

The Paradoxical Effect Of National Diversity And Inclusion Management On Organizational Commitment, Clara Iyabo Stephens

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The United States demographic and workforce are increasingly becoming more diverse. However, the question remains of how the leaders within diverse organizations can consistently manage workforce interaction to attain employee commitment. This quantitative study examines the relational effect of diversity and inclusion management on organizational commitment. Data for this study was collected using the SurveyMonkey online identity anonymity survey weblink. Voluntary participants entered the online survey through an invitation link to the consent page, explained the study's purpose focus on Nigerian American Immigrants and relevant inclusion and exclusion criteria. Initial one hundred thirty-five responses, whereas one hundred and twenty met …

Career Pathway Of Women In Higher Education Leadership: A Qualitative Transcendental Phenomenological Study, Avel Shenika Fulp

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative transcendental phenomenological study aimed to explore the real-life experiences of women serving in senior-level higher education leadership positions in higher education institutions. The theory guiding this study was the Self-Efficacy Theory, as presented by theorist Albert Bandura, was used as a theoretical guide, identifying if participant's self-efficacy could be or was affected by whether or not they were successful in the studied environment, along with how others within the environment contributed to that perception as imposed by their experiences. This research employed a qualitative method, with the design being a transcendental phenomenological study. Purposeful and snowball sampling identified …

Recommendations To Improve Curriculum Alignment In Core Leadership Courses At A Military Academy In The Midwest, Gloria L. Kuzmicki

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this applied study was to provide recommendations to improve curriculum alignment in core leadership courses at a military academy located in the Midwest. The problem was that the core leadership courses had undergone significant format, instructor, and course director changes over the past few years, and this perceivably affected the alignment of curriculum across these courses. The rationale for this study was that it is critical to improve alignment within and across the core leadership courses to enhance the ability to meet the organizational mission and better prepare the students for their future role as military officers. …

E Pluribum Una Ecclesia: Addressing Ideologically Driven Disunity Through A Multifaceted Approach, John M. Craft Iv

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Pastors and church leaders within the Rocky Mountain Church Network, an association of 48 churches, face difficulty caused by ideologically driven disunity (IDD). Current polling shows IDD's negative effect on pastors, church leaders, and congregations. Due to the foundational nature of ideologies, attempts to alleviate IDD have typically worsened the situation. This action research project seeks to identify the presence and impact of IDD as well as provide a strategy and tools to address IDD in a congregation. Using surveys, focus groups, and personal interviews, the researcher acquired quantitative and qualitative data from 22 project participants that affirmed the data …

Perceived Differences Between Religious And Corporate Leaders In Terms Of Modes Of Power, Self-Efficacy, And Self-Leadership, Martin Wesley Kaufmann

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

According to Martin Luther’s doctrine of vocation, although the church is not a business, leaders require spiritual wisdom that is likened to Jesus’ parable about counting the cost before building a tower (Button, 2016). This strongly implies that church leaders can improve the vocational efficacy of the institution by utilizing sustainable organizational models that are embodied in the constructs of self-leadership, modes of power, and self-efficacy. The purpose of this quantitative comparative study was to examine the difference between religious leaders and corporate leaders in terms of modes of power, self-efficacy, and self-leadership, as perceived by members of Northwest protestant …

Family Business Leadership Succession, Elissa Ann Rogers

Journal of Fundamental & Applied Business Research

Following a leadership succession from one generation of family leadership to the next, family businesses often fail. When family businesses do not have a comprehensive succession plan, they have low sustainability for subsequent generations of leadership. This qualitative, multiple-case study explored methods for reducing family business failure following generational succession. The researcher collected data via semi-structured interviews. The themes that emerged from the data include (a) the reason for succession, (b) necessary leadership characteristics, (c) the succession process, (d) resistance to succession, and (e) the value of external help. Key recommendations include the value of starting the succession planning process …

Leadership And Employee Motivation In Climate-Focused Organizations: A Pathway To Transformation, Andrew Mwape

School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications

Climate-focused organizations play a crucial role in addressing global environmental challenges such as climate change, resource depletion, and sustainability. This article explores the dynamics of leadership and employee motivation in such organizations, emphasizing the importance of transformational leadership in fostering innovation, collaboration, and resilience. By aligning organizational missions with employee values, leaders can inspire commitment and enhance productivity. The paper examines the roles of civic capacity, organizational change, and cross-sector collaboration in driving climate action. Drawing on case studies and scholarly insights, it provides practical recommendations for leaders to navigate the complexities of managing climate-focused initiatives. The findings underscore the …

Acrl Inclusive Leadership Annotated Bibliography, Annie Bélanger, Jennifer A. Devito, John J. Meier, Bruna Ngassa, Christina Prucha, Morgan Taulbee

Library Reports and Communication

The Inclusive Leadership Subcommittee has drafted the following Inclusive Library Leadership Definition:

Inclusive library leaders are individuals who are aware of their own biases, actively seek out and consider different perspectives to inform their decision-making, collaborate more effectively with others through cultural competency, and center empathy and compassion in their approach to leadership. ~Inspired by the CCL definition of Inclusive Leadership In doing its research and in support of knowledge sharing, the Subcommittee created an annotated bibliography on inclusive leadership. The annotated bibliography collates resources to articulate the qualities and traits of inclusive leadership, many of which are from outside …

Building An Affirmative Lgbtq+ Leadership Paradigm: An Autoethnography., Joshua D. Covington

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study is an autoethnography written in the form of layered accounts with a theoretical framework of queer theory. It was based on my journey as an LGBTQ+ individual and educational leader. The purpose of this study was to utilize my experiences as an LGBTQ+ educational leader to investigate the conditions that supported and limited my self-efficacy as an LGBTQ+ educational leader. Furthermore, this study investigated what things my experiences could teach us about building an affirmative LGBTQ+ leadership paradigm. My autoethnography was written as three significant stages of my life. The first stage was my experience with education as …

Development And Validation Of The Employee-Supervisor Attachment Scale, Johnny Doherty

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Attachment theory and its connection to the workplace, as well as leader-member exchange (LMX) research, is reviewed before discussing strategies used for developing and validating the Employee-Supervisor Attachment (E-SA) scale. Analyses focused on an internal and external validation strategy. Study 1 consisted of item revisions from the Experiences in Close Relationships-Short scale (ECR-S) and SME ratings to develop the E-SA scale as well as a preliminary Exploratory Factorial Analysis to verify factor structure. Likewise, Study 2 tested the retained items to confirm factor structure, within a new sample, before assessing regressions between E-SA and relevant outcome variables. Furthermore, this project …

A Phenomenological Study Exploring The Experiences Of Active-Duty Servicemembers Seeking Mental Health Treatment: How Mental Health Stigma In The Military Can Affect Help-Seeking Behavior, Philip Clinton Allen

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to examine the experiences of active-duty servicemembers regarding mental health stigma and help-seeking behavior. Due to the trauma of intense combat, military servicemembers experience mental health problems at an alarming rate, and despite increased awareness and access to mental health resources, they are still reluctant to seek treatment. This study explored the lived experiences of military servicemembers with an aim to address the following research question: “How do military service members experience overcoming mental health stigma and decide to seek treatment while still on active duty?” Thirteen participants from the United States Army, …

The Perception Of Army Counselors On The Impact Of Emotional Intelligence Training On Army Non-Commissioned Officer Leadership Decision-Making Effectiveness, Geraldine Turituri

Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to describe the perception of Army counselors in the Military Family and Life Counselor (MFLC) program about the impact of emotional intelligence (EI) training on Army non-commissioned officer (NCO) leadership decision-making effectiveness in their supervision of the soldiers they are responsible for. This study also researched the perception of these counselors about the benefits and challenges of incorporating EI leadership preparation with traditional Army training for NCOs.

Methodology: This qualitative phenomenological study explored Army counselors’ perceptions about the need for EI training for Army NCOs to perform as effective decision-makers. Since …

Sports, Family, And Leadership In Youth: Impacts Of Family Environments And Sport Participation On Youth Leadership Development, Michael Stout

Theses and Graduate Projects

This study investigated the effects of family relationships/environment and sport participation on youth leadership development using the 2016 Minnesota Student Survey (MSS) questionnaire. Responses from 9^th and 11^th graders were used, resulting in 81,885 total participants between the ages of 13 and 19 for this archival, cross-sectional study. This study had two aims: One, to investigate the relationship between family relationships/environment and sport participation, and their impact on youth leadership skills and development; and two, to investigate whether participation in youth sports provides enough scaffolding to foster the development of youth leadership skills despite poor family relationships/environments. Scales …

Inspiring Leadership: A Job Resource That Effects Perceptions Of Nurse Work Well-Being, Federica Maria Pia Ferramosca, Lucia Filomeno, Raffaella Gualandi, Dhurata Ivziku, Daniela Tartaglini

Creating Healthy Work Environments (CHWE)

Healthcare professionals are inspired by their leader, and it reflects aspects such as commitment, work pleasure, independence, and detachment from work. An inspiring leadership style is a precious job resource for personnel well-being. Continuing education on leadership should be encouraged in healthcare settings to increase competencies among nurse leaders.

Nurses' Healthy Work Environment, Collaborative Care, Stress Biomarker Telomere Length, Holly Wei

Creating Healthy Work Environments (CHWE)

The presenter will describe nurses’ collective trauma, burnout, and post-traumatic growth; Stress biomarker telomere biology; Strategies to promote nurses’ healthy work environments; Leadership theories and roles in healthcare. She will introduce her research on nurses’ healthy work environment and practical strategies to promote leadership capacities and nurses’ work environments.