Browsing by Subject "Basic human values"

Values are a central part of leadership theory. Values can be used by leaders to motivate followers. For the leader to be able to motivate the followers via values the leaders would need to know if there are some clear value differences found between leaders and non-leaders. This might be a good starting point for reflection so that the leaders speak to values important to the followers. The method used in this thesis utilizes statistical analysis in order to answer the question if there are some mean differences in the values of leaders and non-leaders. Basic human values are used to measure values and an ANCOVA is performed in order to see if the two groups, leaders and non-leaders, have the same values or if their mean differ. These results on a country level are then correlated via a spearman correlation in order to see if the differences found correlate with cultural values. The results show that leaders and non-leaders differ in some values and in some countries. The clearest differences are found in the values self-direction, tradition and security. Of these, self-direction is higher in leaders whilst tradition and security is higher in followers. These differences were found in the majority of countries analysed. This is also theoretically supported by the circular model of values. The effect sizes also support this as the effect size of the differences is best in self-direction and security where five countries show an effect size bigger than negligible. The only correlation found between the value differences on a country level with the cultural value dimensions is that there tend to be a greater difference in the achievement value between leaders and non-leaders in those countries low in individualism and high in power distance, however these results are inconclusive and should therefore not be given too much weight. These results show that there are some value differences between leaders and non-leaders in some countries even though the effect size is small. However, the results do not answer the question why these differences exist nor can they directly be applied as it is much more important to know one’s own values and the values of the ones who follow you. However, this is a starting point to further research looking at why these values exist. Are these values that are adopted by a person when the person is put into a leadership position or are certain people chosen as leaders because the values they already hold?