Abstract
M.Phil.
The purpose of the study was to investigate the importance of balancing life roles as
essential condition for personal leadership. The problem investigated in the study was
that people experience unhappiness and unfulfilled lives due to imbalance between life
roles. The problem arises because people do not identify and prioritise their life roles
based on values, and they do not set goals to create balance between life roles. The
general aim of the study was to investigate the nature of life roles, to explore the value
of prioritised and balanced life roles, and to search for ways how balance between life
roles can be created, all within the personal leadership framework.
The research methodology used in the study included hermeneutic and descriptive
strategies. The research methods that were used included a word and concept
analysis in order to clarify concepts central to the title of the study. A literature study
was conducted to clarify typical life roles as well as how people experience imbalance
between these roles, and how prioritised and balanced life roles can be achieved,
within the personal leadership framework.
The following are the most important findings of the study:
Roles refer to a place in society, together with a defined code of conduct, and
attitudes that society deems appropriate for somebody occupying that specific
role. It was also found that roles represent responsibilities, relationships and
areas of contribution.
The study found that certain concepts related to life roles can cause serious
imbalance in a person's life.
Life roles can be categorised into personal, family, work, recreational and
community roles.
The impact roles have on individuals were identified.
Life dimensions (physical, mental, social and spiritual) and life roles are interrelated
and can not be separated. By investigating the relationship between life
roles and life dimensions it was found that each life role consists of a social,
mental, physical and spiritual dimension, but also that these life dimensions
consist out of life roles.
* It was found that value clarification in order to identify life roles, and clear goal
setting for each life role are important steps in achieving balance.
* The study concluded by indicating that the balancing of life roles indeed form an
important part of the personal leadership process.