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Understanding why practitioners prefer different methods for leadership development : a qualitative study
Thesis (MCom)--Stellenbosch University, 2025.
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| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | en_ZA |
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Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
2025
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| _version_ | 1867613784821989376 |
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| access_status_str | Open Access |
| author | Spoelstra, Marli |
| author2 | Scholtz, Gert |
| author_browse | Scholtz, Gert Spoelstra, Marli |
| author_facet | Scholtz, Gert Spoelstra, Marli |
| author_sort | Spoelstra, Marli |
| collection | Thesis |
| dc_rights_str_mv | Stellenbosch University |
| description |
Thesis (MCom)--Stellenbosch University, 2025. |
| format | Thesis |
| id | oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/132421 |
| institution | Stellenbosch University (South Africa) |
| language | en_ZA |
| last_indexed | 2026-06-10T12:41:39.515Z |
| license_str | Other — see source repository |
| provenance_str_mv | Harvested via OAI-PMH from SUNScholar — Stellenbosch University Repository |
| publishDate | 2025 |
| publishDateRange | 2025 |
| publishDateSort | 2025 |
| publisher | Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| publisherStr | Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| record_format | dspace |
| source_str | SUNScholar — Stellenbosch University Repository |
| spelling | oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/132421 Understanding why practitioners prefer different methods for leadership development : a qualitative study Spoelstra, Marli Scholtz, Gert Visser, Michelle Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences. Dept. of Industrial Psychology. Leadership -- Study and teaching Leadership -- Training of Executives -- Training of Decision making -- Psychological aspects Qualitative research -- Methodology Organizational learning Career development UCTD Thesis (MCom)--Stellenbosch University, 2025. Spoelstra. M. 2025. Understanding Why Practitioners Prefer Different Methods for Leadership Development: A Qualitative Study. Unpublished masters thesis. Stellenbosch: Stellenbosch University [online]. Available: https://scholar.sun.ac.za/items/22d64a67-824e-4ac1-b3d7-c6543dc4682c ENGLISH SUMMARY: Individuals, organisations, and society all consistently rely on leadership to survive and thrive. The development of the phenomenon is inevitably facilitated, making leadership development a multi-billion-dollar global industry. The behaviour of practitioners, who link theory and practice, is critical to the effectiveness of leadership development initiatives. To achieve better results, practitioners must become more self-aware of their preferences and assumptions which influence their behaviour in their field of practice. This research study aimed to discover why practitioners prefer and employ different methods linked to leadership development. The study aimed to provide insight into a single dimension of the interconnected elements that influence a practitioner's behaviour by investigating their implicit theories of intelligence. The study aligned with the interpretive paradigm and employed a qualitative approach, utilising semi-structured interviews. The data collection phase involved eight practitioners working in business settings in South Africa. Data analysis was done using the Variation, Specification, Abstraction, Internal verification, External verification, Demonstration, Conclusion (VSAIEEDC) model. The findings of the study add to the small body of knowledge on leadership development in the South African context, as well as provide significant insights for practitioners trying to increase their efficacy in developing leaders. The study explored how practitioners define and understand leadership development and leadership potential, ultimately identifying clear definitions for both terms. The findings further revealed that practitioners view their role primarily as facilitators, development experts, and skilled evaluators. Regarding method preference and selection, the research highlighted that effective leadership development prioritises tools that provide assessment and feedback. Additionally, the value of incorporating social, action, and experiential learning methods was emphasised. Long-term empowerment techniques, particularly coaching, were also considered important. Furthermore, practitioners stressed the significance of combining various methods rather than relying on a single approach. Lastly, the study focused on the subconscious influences that shape practitioners' decision-making in choosing leadership development methods. Participants consistently affirmed that their beliefs about the malleability of ability significantly impact their actions and method choices. Predominantly, participants endorsed a growth mindset, reflecting their belief in individuals' potential to learn and develop in various domains, including leadership. The study contributed significantly to the field by addressing a critical gap in the understanding of leadership development within the South African context. It provided original insights into how practitioners define and operationalise leadership development and leadership potential. It further advanced scholarship by identifying the subconscious beliefs—particularly regarding the malleability of abilities—that influence practitioners’ decision-making processes. AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Individu, organisasies, en die samelewing vertrou almal deurlopend op leierskap om te oorleef en te floreer. Die ontwikkeling van leierskap word onvermydelik aangemoedig, wat leierskapontwikkeling 'n multi-miljard-dollar globale industrie maak. Die besluite van praktisyns, wat teorie en praktyk koppel, is krities vir die effektiwiteit van leierskapontwikkelingsinisiatiewe. Om beter resultate te behaal, moet praktisyns meer bewus raak van voorkeure en aannames wat hul besluitneming in praktyk beinvloed. Hierdie navorsingsstudie het ten doel om te ontdek waarom praktisyns uiteenlopende voorkeure vir verskillende metodes wat aan leierskapontwikkeling gekoppel is, het. Die studie beoog om insig te bied rakende ‘n enkele dimensie in die onderling verbonde elemente wat 'n praktisyn se gedrag bepaal deur hul implisiete teoriee van intelligensie te ondersoek. Die studie het met die interpretatiewe paradigma ooreengestem en maak gebruik van 'n kwalitatiewe benadering en gebruik semi-gestruktureerde onderhoude. Die data-insamelingsfase behels agt praktisyns wat in besigheids omgewings in Suid-Afrika werk. Data-analise was uitgevoer deur die Variasie, Spesifikasie, Abstraksie, Interne verifikasie, Eksterne verifikasie, Demonstrasie, Gevolgtrekking (VSAIEEDC) model te gebruik. Die bevindinge van die studie sal bydra tot die beperkte kennis oor leierskapontwikkeling in die Suid-Afrikaanse konteks, sowel as beduidende insigte verskaf vir praktisyns wat hul effektiwiteit in die ontwikkeling van leiers wil verhoog. Die studie het ondersoek ingestel na hoe praktisyns leierskapontwikkeling en leierskapspotensiaal definieer en verstaan, en uiteindelik duidelike definisies vir albei terme geidentifiseer. Die bevindinge het verder getoon dat praktisyns hul rol hoofsaaklik as fasiliteerders, ontwikkelingkundiges en bekwame evalueerders beskou. Met betrekking tot metodevoorkeure en -keuse het die navorsing beklemtoon dat effektiewe leierskapontwikkeling prioritiseer op gereedskap wat assessering en terugvoer verskaf. Verder is die waarde van die inkorporering van sosiale, aksie- en ervaringsleer-metodes beklemtoon. Langtermynbemagtigingstegnieke, veral afrigting, is ook as belangrik beskou. Boonop het praktisyns die belangrikheid van die kombinasie van verskeie metodes, eerder as om op 'n enkele benadering te vertrou, beklemtoon. Laastens het die studie gefokus op die onderbewuste invloede wat praktisyns se besluitneming in die keuse van leierskapontwikkelingsmetodes vorm. Deelnemers het konsekwent bevestig dat hul oortuigings oor die buigsaamheid van vermoens hul aksies en metodekeuses aansienlik beinvloed. Deelnemers het oorwegend 'n groeigedrag onderskryf, wat hul geloof weerspieel in individue se potensiaal om te leer en te ontwikkel in verskeie domeine, insluitend leierskap. Die studie het beduidend tot die veld bygedra deur ’n kritieke gaping in die begrip van leierskapontwikkeling binne die Suid-Afrikaanse konteks aan te spreek. Dit het oorspronklike insigte gebied oor hoe praktisyns leierskapontwikkeling en leierskapspotensiaal definieer en toepas. Verder het dit die akademiese veld gevorder deur die identifisering van onderbewuste oortuigings wat praktisyns se besluitnemingsprosesse beinvloed. Masters 2025-06-06T09:59:37Z 2025-06-06T09:59:37Z 2025-03 Thesis https://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/132421 en_ZA Stellenbosch University 175 pages : illustrations, includes annexures application/pdf Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| spellingShingle | Leadership -- Study and teaching Leadership -- Training of Executives -- Training of Decision making -- Psychological aspects Qualitative research -- Methodology Organizational learning Career development UCTD Spoelstra, Marli Understanding why practitioners prefer different methods for leadership development : a qualitative study |
| title | Understanding why practitioners prefer different methods for leadership development : a qualitative study |
| title_full | Understanding why practitioners prefer different methods for leadership development : a qualitative study |
| title_fullStr | Understanding why practitioners prefer different methods for leadership development : a qualitative study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Understanding why practitioners prefer different methods for leadership development : a qualitative study |
| title_short | Understanding why practitioners prefer different methods for leadership development : a qualitative study |
| title_sort | understanding why practitioners prefer different methods for leadership development a qualitative study |
| topic | Leadership -- Study and teaching Leadership -- Training of Executives -- Training of Decision making -- Psychological aspects Qualitative research -- Methodology Organizational learning Career development UCTD |
| url | https://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/132421 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT spoelstramarli understandingwhypractitionerspreferdifferentmethodsforleadershipdevelopmentaqualitativestudy |