Authentic leadership: development of a new three pillar model

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to summarise a new model of authentic leadership derived from research with senior leaders in the UK.

Design/methodology/approach

The model was developed and tested using three independent samples: 140 business leaders, 54 senior military officers with 390 independent raters and 303 business leaders.

Findings

A 15-item, self-report, three-component measure of authentic leadership was obtained from testing across samples. The three components measure an individual’s capacity for self-awareness, self-regulation and ethical behaviour.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to the authentic leadership literature through the creation of a short authentic leadership scale that could be used in leadership research and which simplifies and unifies previous conceptualisations of authentic leadership. The three-pillar model offers guidance to HR practitioners looking to design leadership development interventions.

Citation

Beddoes-Jones, F. and Swailes, S. (2015), "Authentic leadership: development of a new three pillar model", Strategic HR Review, Vol. 14 No. 3, pp. 94-99. https://doi.org/10.1108/SHR-04-2015-0032