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Article
Publication date: 11 May 2010

Hazel C.V. Traüffer, Corné Bekker, Mihai Bocârnea and Bruce E. Winston

The purpose of this paper is to operationalize the concept of discernment and to present an instrument to measure it.

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to operationalize the concept of discernment and to present an instrument to measure it.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach takes the form of a mixed‐method exploratory design that relied on principal component analyses and internal consistency performed on the resultant data set from a pool of items developed from the literature, as well as from a panel of experts. The investigation employed in‐depth interviews conducted with eight purposively selected leaders about their decision‐making processes and augmented the findings with data from 240 leaders, generated via an online survey.

Findings

The result is a three‐factor self‐rating instrument that measures courage, intuition, and faith, with Cronbach alpha values of 0.85, 0.89, and 0.85, respectively. These three factors appear to operationalize the concept of discernment.

Research limitations/implications

While the conceptual definition of the construct has merit, its completeness is subject to debate. If the conceptualization were incomplete, the results of the study would provide only a marginal understanding of the phenomenon. Moreover, an operational definition based on an incomplete conceptualization will fail to generate theory‐oriented propositions. Additional research is needed to establish population norms.

Practical implications

The study contributes to the ongoing task of appropriating spirituality in organizational life, demonstrates that discernment has value in contemporary leadership and organizational praxis, and provides an instrument for self‐evaluation by leaders as to how well each leader engages in discernment. The instrument offers a leadership development tool to help identify high or low discernment.

Originality/value

The study is original and makes the foundational contribution for a beginning stream of research.

Details

Leadership & Organization Development Journal, vol. 31 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0143-7739

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Article
Publication date: 9 March 2010

Hazel C.V. Traüffer, Corné Bekker, Mihai Bocârnea and Bruce E. Winston

The purpose of this paper is to define the concept of “discernment”.

2802

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to define the concept of “discernment”.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper defines and presents discernment in a manner that sheds light on the construct and sets the stage for future research.

Findings

Discernment, is a significantly more involving kind of approach to decision making for the leader. It does not rely on precedents, best practices, or benchmarking. It is to understand the self and organization in a holistic way, inviting constant self‐evaluation and adjustments in order to make good judgments that serve the greater whole.

Research limitations/implications

Additional research is needed to empirically validate the concept through systematic investigations and devise a means to measure it.

Practical implications

The paper assists leaders in understanding the “what” and “why” of discernment and provides an opportunity for self‐evaluation by leaders as to how well each leader engages in discernment.

Originality/value

The paper is original and makes the foundational contribution for a beginning stream of research.

Details

Leadership & Organization Development Journal, vol. 31 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0143-7739

Keywords

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