Abstract
Ph.D.
The demand to grow as a person, or to develop character, is a central issue in
leadership and is quite evident in literature. Salient to leadership, therefore, are the
subjects of what one is (being) and how to develop what one is, which is often
expressed as ‘to grow as a person’. Being development is more than behaviour
change; it encompasses what one is and what one can become. Being development
is consequently not an effort to apply a layer of veneer or to put on a mask to win
friends and influence people. Hence, the researcher supports the notion that being
development is essential in the cultivation of successful leaders.
The literature exploration focused on how growth come about in human beings by
exploring various behavioural change theories and models that are connected to
being development, and resultantly linked to the importance of leadership
development. The literature revealed the presence of six theoretical elements of
being development, namely Vision, Plan and Evaluate, Acquire Competencies,
Manage the Environment, Manage the Self, and Transcendence Exercise. The
presence of these six elements in an individual’s life suggested being development
or a growing person. Efforts to enhance the presence of these elements are in
accordance to how change works in humans and are in congruence with certain
normative suggestions of other theoretical growth models that are explored in this
study. One such theoretical model, the Being Developmental Model (BDM) was
selected for further development and evaluation for the purpose of this study.
A known, tested and tried research approach, with proven strategies and methods
within the social sciences were adopted in order to reach the theoretical and
empirical objectives of the study. Statistical techniques used include: descriptive
statistics, Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA), Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA),
Structural Equation Modelling (SEM), bivariate correlation analysis and multivariate
regression analysis.
EFA extracted more than one factor from three of the six theoretical BDM elements.
The factors extracted from Vision (On Track and Calling), Manage the Environment
(Physical Environment, External Environment and Inner Being) and Transcendence
Exercise (God and Others; Mind and Emotions) confirmed and highlighted certain
underlying dimensions within the three elements. The three remaining elements,...