Date of Award

Winter 10-30-2024

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Education (EdD)

Department

Organizational Leadership

First Advisor

Philip O. Pendley, Ed.D

Second Advisor

George Sziraki, Ed.D.

Third Advisor

Felicia Haecker., Ed.D.

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this mixed-methods study is to identify and describe behaviors that reflect the character, inspiration, relationships, vision, and wisdom that African American technology leaders use to create personal and organizational meaning for themselves and their followers. It was also the purpose to rate how followers perceive their leader’s behaviors related to character, inspiration, relationships, vision, and wisdom in creating personal and organizational meaning.

Methodology: The qualitative portion of this mixed-method study involved face-to-face interviews with African American technology leaders, while the quantitative segment consisted of electronic surveys completed by their followers. The quantitative survey assessed followers’ perceptions of the importance of meaning making behaviors of African American leaders in technology organizations.

Findings: Findings indicate that character, inspiration, relationships, vision, and wisdom are critical to meaning making for African American technology leaders. Character is the most critical trait, with participants emphasizing it as foundational to their leadership, influencing their ability to build trust, make ethical decisions, and create inclusive environments. Survey results mirrored this sentiment, with followers identifying character as the most vital behavior for leaders to demonstrate.

Conclusion: The study concludes African American technology leaders rely on character, inspiration, vision, relationships, and wisdom—individually and interchangeably—to create meaning for themselves and their organizations. Leaders who vi consistently embody strong personal values and act with integrity foster deeper trust and respect among peers and followers. These qualities enhance their ability to navigate challenges and create meaningful organizational impact.

Recommendations: Comparative studies across non-technology fields to examine the influence of character on leadership effectiveness in diverse contexts could determine whether African American leaders in other industries face similar challenges. Expanding the scope to include other underrepresented leaders might provide valuable comparative data. Long-term, single-case studies could offer in-depth insights into the leadership journey of African American technologists. Additional research could explore the effectiveness of diversity and inclusion initiatives in leadership development and the impact of people-skills training for technology leaders. A phenomenological study could further investigate the experiences of African American technologists as they progress in their careers. These avenues of research could deepen understanding of the unique dynamics shaping leadership in underrepresented groups.

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