| This action research dissertation describes the process by which Grounded Leadership, a breakthrough non-directive, facilitative leadership approach, emerged through a series of three participative research cycles undertaken by the researcher that included more than one hundred students at the Wright Leadership Institute in Chicago. Grounded Leadership is a revolutionary philosophy and methodology that brings out the best in individuals and groups and results in a high level of group ownership and creativity. Using it, leaders interact with groups and individuals in a way that allows the "next most radiant" aspect of the group to emerge. The five steps of Grounded Leadership process are engaging, discovering, core concepting, visioning, and so-whating.;The action research process in which this new leadership approach emerged included three research cycles. In the first cycle a small group of leader-trainees sought to apply the key concepts of grounded theory research to a group leadership project. The foundational concepts of Grounded Leadership emerged out of their efforts. In the second cycle the emerging methodology was further explored, applied, and refined by a larger group of leadership students. In the third cycle Grounded Leadership was used to train new and experienced leaders to facilitate the transformation of groups and individuals. It is currently in its fourth cycle of development which includes the restructuring of the leadership curriculum which includes a hitherto unseen complete definition and mapping of the leadership universe including four leadership tracks, divided by five leadership skill families divided by two levels of grouping that arrange over 1,400 leadership skills and rate these by relevance to track and elements of the Institute.;Grounded Leadership has proven effective in facilitating the development and transformation of our students, our faculty, and our institution itself. Students report excitement in participating in groups led with this methodology as well as significant increases in their influence as leaders employing the approach in domains including major Fortune 100 corporate board consulting, finance, national policy, and education, as well as their own personal lives.;Grounded Leadership has implications for the field of leadership in both methodology and theory. As a methodology, it fills in a gap in the area of non-directive leadership approaches with its emphasis on the emergence of the group and the "next most radiant selves" of its members. It adds to the empowering and transformative theories of leadership with its underlying philosophy that all are leading all the time. It also adds to the growing body of literature on more feminine styles of leadership. In these and other ways, Grounded Leadership will be a contribution to the eventual emergence of a truly grand theory of leadership.;Key Words: Leadership, Action Research, Psychology, Transformation, Emergence... |
