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A unified theory of leadership

Harald S. Harung, Dennis P. Heato, Charles N. Alexander

Leadership & Organization Development Journal November 1, 1995 DOI: 10.1108/01437739510100946 (opens in new tab)

Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed
Intervention Transcendental Meditation
Citations 63
Key points Argues that development of consciousness is a fundamental causal variable underlying the complexity of behaviors and psychological qualities associated with leadership, citing evidence that world-class leaders experience a silent, expanded, restfully alert, and non-attached state of consciousness more frequently than comparison groups. Proposes Transcendental Meditation as a technique to cultivate consciousness development and thereby support leadership.

Abstract

Suggests that development of consciousness is a fundamental causal variable underlying the complexity of behaviours and psychological qualities associated with leadership. This unified model is supported by evidence which indicates that world‐class leaders experience a silent, expanded, restfully alert, and non‐attached state of consciousness, which forms the basis of higher states of consciousness, more frequently than comparison groups. Discusses transcendental meditation, a mental technique which systematically cultivates development of consciousness, as a technology to lay the foundations for more widespread development of leadership.