Becoming a leader: A hermeneutic phenomenological study of the lifeworld of Nelson Mandela.

详细信息   

• 作者：Knobel ; Shirley G.
• 学历：Doctor
• 年：2014
• 毕业院校：Fielding Graduate University
• Department：The School of Human and Organization Development.
• ISBN：9781303818240
• CBH：3615745
• Country：USA
• 语种：English
• FileSize：12618435
• Pages：221

文摘

The purpose of this dissertation study was to understand the lifeworld of Nelson Mandela through a systematic exploration of the structures of the lifeworld that helped shape his destiny. This approach required a broad lens that included the three main concepts underlying the inquiry: leadership,lifeworld phenomenology,and hermeneutics. In order to explore Mandelas lifeworld,a hermeneutic phenomenological analysis was conducted on a selection of Mandelas reflections captured by him in writing and viewed as meaningful lived experiences as defined by Alfred Schutz. The data were illuminated by viewing understanding as being able to imagine a question that the text answers,as developed by the epistemological theory of Hans-Georg Gadamer. In the initial analysis,five universal themes emerged that characterized Mandelas lifeworld. Heritage,including tradition and ancestral roots,is a strong theme throughout his life. Childhood experiences reinforced a strong identity for Mandela in his indigenous roots. Duty and service: Mandela believed that to do your duty and live up to the expectations of others was a "magnificent achievement." Family: Mandela experienced the joy of children,the pain of losing loved ones both young and old,and the heartache of not being able to care for his mother in her old age. Friendship played an important role throughout Mandelas life,serving as a mirror through which he says he could see himself. Overall,six key findings related to the research question: Nelson Mandela was a figure embedded in his own lifeworld structures. The historicality of the situation was imposed on him. He was born into a stratified social and cultural world pregiven to him as a frame of reference. His lifeworld stock of knowledge was related to his situation,and served as his reference schema for explication of the world. Mandela made sense of his world by applying typifications. The process of socialization and correspondingly his relative-natural worldview was transmitted to him by certain people in his life,initially his parents,the clan elders,and the regent； and later,teachers,friends,and comrades. Mandela was guided by a system of relevances,including his memories of past experiences,decisions he had made,and actions that he took which influenced his destiny. The study provides new knowledge about Mandelas lived experience,how he interpreted his experiences,and how the structures of his lifeworld influenced his choices and actions,ultimately shaping him as a leader.