Poster from International Leadership Association conference, October 2012

1. EASTERN UNIVERSITY
Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership
Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership
A postcritical existential phenomenological study about experiences of
empowerment and liberation in social justice leadership
Jessica R. Dreistadt, Student
Abstract Method and Definition of Terms
Empowerment and liberation are complex social Phenomenology overall has been criticized for failing to thoroughly examining social and political influences on individual
phenomena with multiple meanings. This experience, being ahistorical, focusing on immediate experiences, marginalizing people by homogenizing experience, and supporting
preliminary study explores those meanings within the existing system (Cheng, 1995; Dahlberg, 2006; Stoller, 2010). Existential phenomenology acknowledges that individual experience
the context of progressive social change is understood within the context of participants’ background; thus, the influence of social and political factors on meaning making and
organization leadership through postcritical the limitation of freedom is recognized (Lopez & Willis, 2004). I chose to add a postcritical (Hytten, 2004) element to explicitly expose
existential phenomenology. The results challenged and explore the political and social structures and power dynamics inherent to the topic. There is great common ground between
my assumptions about the topic but also expanded phenomenology and critical theory: self-determination; seeking the truth about people and society; pursuit of liberation; increased
the depth of my understanding. awareness of social structures and influence; lack of submission to predetermined social categories; and the influence of the past and
material conditions of society (Gorman, 1976). Forrester (1983) claims that critical theory is structural phenomenology because it
connects individual action and meaning with the historical context and macrostructure. Because empowerment and liberation are the
definitive goals of both existentialism and critical theory, such a marriage seems natural in the study of this topic (Lawler, 2005;
Research Rexhepi & Torres, 2011).
While there are multiple interpretations of the terms empowerment and liberation, there is a clear differentiation between personal
empowerment and structural change. Most studies of empowerment focus on psychological, rather than structural, dimensions and few
Questions studies link the two (Biron & Bamberger, 2010). Social change requires both psychological and political empowerment (Raelin, 2008).
1. What is the meaning of empowerment and
liberation? How do volunteers and staff of Preliminary Results
progressive social change organizations describe
experiences of empowerment and liberation? How The participant was a self-employed former corporate employee with a lengthy and diverse history of activism and leadership
do experiences of empowerment and liberation within labor unions, religious institutions, community-based organizations, local government, and political groups. We explored his
influence the thoughts, feelings, and behaviors of most significant experiences in progressive social change organizations, the meanings he ascribed to those experiences, his
volunteers and staff of progressive social change leadership during those times, and his understanding and experiences of empowerment and liberation.
organizations? His desire to participate in social change organizations resulted from the sense of solidarity he experienced while in the military
and his Jewish faith. He feels that his faith broadened what he experienced as the “military socialist ideal” to include all people and
2. How does involvement in progressive social gave him a vision for a “besser velt” (Yiddish for better world).
change organizations influence experiences of The participant identified two experiences in social change organizations that have been the most meaningful for him: negotiating
empowerment and liberation? How do the a labor contract while president of a labor union, which resulted in the elimination of an unjust pay scale; and assisting with the
organizational, environmental, social, and political renovation and revitalization of a community arts organization. He felt personally invested in both organizations and had a lengthy
contexts of progressive social change organizations history with each. Through these peak experiences, he has developed meaningful relationships with others in his community, which he
influence experiences of empowerment and feels is the most rewarding aspect of being involved with social change organizations. He has also expanded his leadership skills; he
liberation? How do leadership practices and learned to carefully pick battles, focus on issues of significance and minimize the attention given to minor issues, effectively negotiate,
relationships influence experiences of balance the needs of the organization with those of employees, set the tone, envision and experience success despite tremendous
empowerment and liberation? obstacles, balance dreaming and wishing for a different future with pragmatic action, engage the support and commitment of others in
a cause, help others realize the value of their input, synthesize the ideas of a diverse group, and develop constructive relationships
3. How do experiences of empowerment and with leaders of other organizations.
liberation influence involvement in progressive We discussed his understanding of empowerment and liberation and his personal experiences of those phenomena. He
social change organizations? How do experiences described empowerment as one of the components that must be in place in order for people to experience self-actualization. He does
of empowerment and liberation influence emergent not remember a time that he did not feel empowered. “I have always viewed the entire world as open to me.” Yet, he notes that he felt
leadership among staff and volunteers of most empowered when he was the member of a labor union. “Being a union member makes a person feel like they are part of the
progressive social change organizations? How do family of man…we take care of each other…despite feeling very self-confident about my own ability to manage my way through the
individuals who have experienced empowerment world, I can still see the power that unions provided me and others.” His most significant experience of liberation was resigning from
and liberation through involvement in progressive this corporation during a merger after a 25-year career. He started a business and now has more time to devote to community service,
social change organizations describe the influence political action, and family. During this discussion, the participant interchangeably used the words empowerment and liberation with an
of these on their own leadership? emphasis on the former; the meanings he ascribes to these constructs overlap. This confirms my research findings that there are
multiple meanings for each and that there is a greater emphasis and understanding of empowerment in the leadership literature.
This study was conducted for a Qualitative Research
Methods course. The purpose was to both explore a topic of
interest and to develop my understanding of the method
selected and the research process. In this preliminary study,
References
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