Bewitched, amputated or dead: an existential study of leadership stuckness

DProf thesis


Kukard, J. 2021. Bewitched, amputated or dead: an existential study of leadership stuckness. DProf thesis Middlesex University / New School of Psychotherapy and Counselling (NSPC) Psychology
TypeDProf thesis
TitleBewitched, amputated or dead: an existential study of leadership stuckness
AuthorsKukard, J.
Abstract

This is a constructivist grounded theory project building a theory on the process and definition of leadership stuckness. Ten senior leaders were interviewed, and the qualitative data analysed for patterns. This led to the creation of a theory of the process of stuckness and an existential definition of stuckness.
It was found that the process of leadership stuckness involves three losses: the loss of self and capacity to self-reflect, the loss of relationships, and the loss of meaning. A significant proportion of this research has been devoted to understanding how the participant and the context were perfectly primed for a merged relationship of stucknesss including the leader’s childhood and training. Other significant findings were that leadership stuckness is “normal”, occurs more than once in a lifetime, and varies in severity and complexity. An existential definition of stuckness was generated, as were recommendations for working with an existential approach to stuckness.

KeywordsLeadership, stuckness, constructivist grounded theory, existential psychotherapy, existential coaching, leadership development
Sustainable Development Goals3 Good health and well-being
16 Peace, justice and strong institutions
17 Partnerships for the goals
Middlesex University ThemeCreativity, Culture & Enterprise
Department namePsychology
Institution nameMiddlesex University / New School of Psychotherapy and Counselling (NSPC)
Publication dates
Print08 Nov 2022
Publication process dates
Deposited08 Nov 2022
Accepted11 Dec 2021
Output statusPublished
Accepted author manuscript
LanguageEnglish
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