Writing Untold Stories: Exploring Autoethnography's Capacity to Show Relational Leadership Practices

Abstract

In this thesis, I contribute to a growing body of empirical work that explores relational leadership theory (RLT) through the application of autoethnography (AEG) and reveals, through critical reflexive processes, emerging moments of skilful relating, which underpin relational leadership practice. The research was inspired by the work of leadership theorists such as Hosking, Grint, Cunliffe and Sinclair, who each in their own ways, contend that relational leadership holds promise in contributing to the ceation of more collaborative, healthy and productive workplaces. Furthermore, researchers including Uhl-Bien and Ospina for example, contend that there is a great need to understand how relationality may support alternative leadership practices.