Abstract
This study addresses the absence of scientific knowledge of leadership behaviour among gays in the management echelon of the South African Department of Defence and provides some tangible knowledge in this regard. This valuable knowledge was obtained through an in-depth qualitative research design, namely a life story of one South African citizen, who is gay, male and white, and who held a senior management position in the Department of Defence (DOD) for a number of years. Themes and hypotheses from both the existing literature on homosexual behaviour and leadership generally, and on gay people employed as leaders by the military particularly, were compared with the rich, everyday experiences of this particular gay person on his leadership tasks in the local military world. This study provides insight into homophobia, and particularly into how it was managed by an authentic gay. The study also makes a modest contribution to the methodology of case studies and particularly the applicability of life stories in the organizational and leadership fields. Finally, I believe the study provides knowledge on homosexuality and leadership and the relation between these in the South African Department of Defence, and, in this way could offer valuable information in assisting with “examining” its Draft Policy on Non Discrimination on the Grounds of Sexual Orientation. I am of the opinion that the insight into an authentic gay officer’s life provided by the method, could inform policy impacting on leaders, and particularly on gay officers, of the DOD.
Prof. W. J. Schurink