TITLE:
Embodying Authentic Leadership in Nascent Entrepreneurship for Sustainable Success
AUTHORS:
Christine Mukhwana, Robert E. Levasseur
KEYWORDS:
Authentic Leadership, Authentic Entrepreneurial Leadership, Nascent Entrepreneurs, Psychological and Ethical Safety, Phenomenology
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Business and Management,
Vol.11 No.4,
July
10,
2023
ABSTRACT: Authentic leadership has emerged as a positive
leadership approach that stimulates psychological and ethical safety in the
work environment to enhance organizational outcomes. Grounded on authentic
leadership and the three- factor model, the
purpose of this study was to develop a fuller understanding of authentic
leadership from the lived experiences of nascent entrepreneurs. Applying the
phenomenological research method, we explored the lived experiences of 10
founder-CEOs of Information Technology startups. The data collection instruments were semistructured interview
questions and field notes reflective of the overarching research
question: “What are nascent entrepreneurs’
lived experiences and understanding of authentic leadership?” Our research
findings indicated that nascent entrepreneurs employ unbiased information
sharing, relational openness and transparency, values-centered leadership,
people-oriented leadership, and the development of a learning culture as key
success strategies in their leadership approach. From a practical standpoint,
this study’s findings may help scholars and practitioners develop
entrepreneurial leadership policies and programs based on authenticity to improve individual and organizational
performance. The key recommendations for further research include exploring
authentic leadership across other economic sectors using a more
integrative process that recognizes followers as active contributors to
entrepreneurial leadership success. The study’s implication for positive social change includes potential authentic leadership strategies for successful
entrepreneurship and business practices that could enhance venture outcomes,
growth, and sustainability.