Self-leadership: qualitative leadership research using deductive pattern matching approach

Abstract

Purpose

The contemporary business environment steered by forces of globalization, digitization and automation can only be navigated by a resilient workforce. This requires inculcating self-leadership (SL) traits in individuals, which will allow them to exercise self-direction and self-motivation required to survive high-strain situations. The SL characteristics most significantly reflected by Musk are self-goal setting, authenticity and responsibility. Least evidence was found for positive self-talk and self-cueing. This study aims to add to the repertoire of leadership studies, furnishing important implications for academia and practice.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, the authors explore the dimensionality of SL through a systematic literature review. The authors also take the case of Elon Musk, one of the most resilient technopreneurs in the contemporary business world, and scrutinize his journey as a self-leader.

Findings

The SL characteristics most significantly reflected by Musk are self-goal setting, authenticity and responsibility. Least evidence was found for positive self-talk and self-cueing. This study adds to the repertoire of leadership studies, furnishing important implications for academia and practice.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first paper to explore the controversial Elon Musk’s leadership style through the prism of SL.

Citation

Khatri, P., Duggal, H.K., Varma, A., Thomas, A. and Dutta, S. (2024), "Self-leadership: qualitative leadership research using deductive pattern matching approach", Journal of Asia Business Studies, Vol. 18 No. 1, pp. 252-274. https://doi.org/10.1108/JABS-06-2023-0229