Abstract
M.Phil. (Personal and Professional Leadership)
Humankind seems to have the objectives to be what they can be, grow to potential, and also experience well-being, happiness and/or fulfilment. Meeting these objectives calls for action (doing) and requires aspects such as skills, abilities, traits, knowledge and experience (having), including (knowing). Yet people are human beings, not human doings nor human havings or human knowings. Being development therefore calls for attention.
Key Focus of the study:
This study explores the concept, theories and elements of being with the intent to construct a model that could be used to develop being.
Motivation for the study:
The study is motivated by the human need to develop what they are, their being. Success with the development or growth of being, however, firstly calls for the clarification and operationalisation of the complex concept. Secondly, success with the development or growth of being, calls for an understanding of theories with regard to the concept being.
Research design:
This study is of non-empirical nature. A theory or model building approach was used for the main objective. A grounded theory type concept analysis was used to deduct theories of being.
Main findings:
In this study it was found that being is described as conscious, mortal existence that reflects the true, essential nature or essence of a person. Two theories of being were derived. According to the inclusive view, being is the sum of all aspects whereby a person is known by him or herself and by others as a result of community, context, environment and time. According to the spiritual theory of being, it is the core, the
spiritual element of human kind. In both cases it is a state that could grow and develop to an end state or goal such as to a life with meaning and purpose, fulfilment, eudaimonia, and flourishing. In meeting the main objective of the study and in congruence with the findings, a model was devised and presented, whereby being could be developed. The model indicates the scope of elements and a process to address these elements, utilising a farming metaphor, to reach the objective.
Practical/Managerial implications:
The model could be employed to achieve personal growth or being development, for individuals, especially those with a leadership calling and organisations, by applying the suggested process to address elements indicated.
Contribution and value add:
The model will be of value to develop being, of leaders, individuals, groups and organisations. The clarification of the concept being contributes to the prevention of misunderstandings with regard to being, inner being and the spirit. The theories of being derived from literature create a framework for future research on being and related subjects.