Authentic leadership: the influence of work and non-work domain contextual factors

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of both work and non-work domain contextual factors (meaningful work, mentoring support, family support and challenging life events) on authentic leadership (AL).

Design/methodology/approach

Prior to survey-based study, a qualitative interview-based research was carried out with seven senior leaders in India. In the final study, data collected from 201 senior and middle-level managers and 554 followers were used to examine the influence of each of the contextual factors on AL.

Findings

Results suggest that except mentoring support, all other factors have a significant positive influence on AL. The implications of the results for authentic leadership development are discussed.

Originality/value

This is the first study where meaningful work, mentoring support, family support and challenging life events are empirically examined in the context of AL.

Citation

Sarkar, A. (2019), "Authentic leadership: the influence of work and non-work domain contextual factors", Leadership & Organization Development Journal, Vol. 40 No. 4, pp. 520-531. https://doi.org/10.1108/LODJ-06-2018-0224