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.
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
Keywords
Hazel C.V. Traüffer, Corné Bekker, Mihai Bocârnea and Bruce E. Winston
The purpose of this paper is to define the concept of “discernment”.
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.