Date of Conferral
2022
Degree
Doctor of Business Administration (D.B.A.)
School
Management
Advisor
Richard Johnson
Abstract
Organizational executives annually invest more than $50 billion in leadership development worldwide. Nonetheless, human resources (HR) managers are concerned that leadership development initiatives prove inadequate in delivering learning outcomes equal to the investment, leaving midlevel managers ill-prepared to lead. Guided by experiential learning theory, this qualitative multiple-case study was conducted to explore strategies HR managers use to enhance the leadership development of midlevel managers. A purposeful sample included three HR managers from three organizations located in a west coast metropolitan area in Canada who successfully implemented leadership development strategies. Data were collected from semistructured interviews and organizational documents. Informed by Yin’s five-step case-study approach, four themes emerged: (a) employ multichannel learning, (b) cultivate a leadership mindset, (c) conduct coaching support, and (d) collaborate for enhanced leadership development outcomes. A key recommendation is for HR managers to create a supportive organizational culture by ensuring sufficient resources are allocated for leadership development initiatives. The implications for positive social change include the potential for skilled leaders to help community agencies flourish by expanding cooperative social bonds, enhancing trust and respect, and strengthening shared values and social responsibility.
Recommended Citation
Wiebe, Elizabeth, "Strategies to Enhance Leadership Development of Midlevel Managers" (2022). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 13897.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/13897
