Authentic Leadership Research Methodology
posted 15th January 2025
Following the last article which introduced the topic of Authentic Leadership, this blog summarises the research methodology used in my research. This helps to contextualise the results and explains how the analysis of the data was conducted. The research question being explored is -
What are female leaders' experiences of authenticity and inauthenticity while working in male dominated leadership teams? An exploration through the lens of values, thoughts and emotions.
Method
The research focused on understanding the lived experiences of authentic female leaders in male-dominated leadership teams. Participants were asked to share their views on authentic leadership, the values they prioritize, and their feelings during authentic and inauthentic moments. This study emphasizes real human behavior, aiming to reflect the complexities of individual experiences rather than hypothetical scenarios.
The research operates within an interpretivist framework, recognizing that multiple realities exist and are shaped by people's perspectives. This approach acknowledges that the experiences of female leaders may differ significantly from those of male leaders and provides a deeper insight into their unique challenges.
Participants
Eleven female leaders were interviewed, fitting the target range of 8-12 participants. To qualify, participants needed to be senior leaders in organizations where at least 80% of the leadership team was male, have a minimum of 10 years of management experience, and self-identify as authentic leaders. This selection process aimed to capture leaders who are likely to have a refined understanding of authenticity, have faced challenges with expressing themselves authentically and found ways to navigate the challenges of working in male dominated environments.
Participants were recruited through personal networks and LinkedIn, their professional backgrounds spanned various industries including banking, finance, consulting, technology, and public service across multiple countries.
Ethics
The research was classified as low risk. Current clients were excluded to prevent conflicts of interest. All collected data were securely stored, and participants' privacy was ensured by using pseudonyms in the write up.
Data Collection
Potential participants received an introduction to the study, participation criteria, and a consent form via email. After consent was obtained, semi-structured interviews were conducted via Microsoft Teams, lasting between 48 minutes and 1 hour 20 minutes. These interviews were recorded and transcribed for subsequent analysis.
Analysis
Data analysis was conducted using Braun and Clarke’s reflexive thematic analysis. This method emphasizes themes over content and aligns well with the study's qualitative nature. The six steps of reflexive thematic analysis were followed:
1. Familiarization: Reviewing transcripts against audio recordings for accuracy.
2. Coding: Conducting manual coding in Excel, refining the codes through two passes of coding.
3. Generating Initial Themes: Developing surface-level themes from the initial coding.
4. Developing and Reviewing Themes: Analyzing themes more deeply, extracting latent meanings.
5. Refining, Defining, and Naming Themes: Discarding or integrating less relevant themes into higher-level categories and naming them.
6. Writing Up: Compiling the final themes and sub-themes into a cohesive narrative.
Analysis was both deductive and inductive. Deductive analysis was informed by Schwartz's values classification and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) frameworks, linking participants' values and experiences to those models. Inductive reasoning helped in grasping how participants made sense of authentic leadership in their contexts.
Reflexivity
The author approached the research with an awareness of their own perceptions regarding women in leadership and a passion for diversity and inclusion. Operating in both insider and outsider perspectives influenced the research design and findings. A research diary was maintained to document reflections throughout the process, ensuring transparency and self-awareness during the study.