Date of Award

Spring 2-28-2022

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Education (EdD)

Department

Organizational Leadership

First Advisor

Keith Larick

Second Advisor

Jalin B. Johnson

Third Advisor

Rowlanda Cawthon

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this phenomenological study is to describe how exemplary community college chief human resource officers lead from the heart using Crowley’s (2011) four principles (building a highly engaged team, connecting on a personal level, maximizing employee potential, and valuing and honoring achievements) to accomplish extraordinary results in their organizations.

Methodology: This qualitative study used a phenomenological method to describe how eight exemplary community college chief human resource officers lead from the heart using Crowley’s (2011) four principles (building a highly engaged team, connecting on a personal level, maximizing employee potential, and valuing and honoring achievements) to accomplish extraordinary results in their organizations. Data from interview transcripts and artifacts were triangulated, synthesized and coded for themes using NVivo software.

Findings: Examination of qualitative data from the participating eight exemplary community college CHROs in this study indicated various findings. The data from the study resulted in 21 themes and 571 frequencies related to Crowley’s (2011) four principles of leading from the heart. From these, eight major findings emerged.

Conclusions: The study described how eight exemplary community college chief human resource officers lead from the heart by building highly engaged teams, connecting on a personal level, maximizing employee potential, and valuing and honoring achievements. The study resulted in five conclusions related to establishing a culture of trust, creating a safe and caring work environment, support of employees’ mental, physical, and professional well-being, showing value and honor of employees’ work, and a foundation of connecting on a personal level built on respect and trust.

Recommendations: It is recommended that the study be replicated in a larger geographic area and expanded to a sample of participants that consider age, years of experience, gender, and training. A post-pandemic study is also recommended. A mixed method study to gather quantitative and qualitative data from both leaders and employees and a meta-analysis study to analyze the findings of the 14 studies conducted by the thematic group of peer researchers are recommended.

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