Authentic Leadership A Qualitative Case Study of the True Impact of Executive Commitment within Fortune 500 Technology Companies
Loading...
Authors
Wright, Nicholas
Issue Date
2026-03
Type
Dissertation
Language
en
Keywords
DEI , authenticity , leadership , Educational Leadership & Learning Lifelong , Workforce Development Needs & Industry Alignment
Alternative Title
Abstract
This study examined how employees experience leadership authenticity within Fortune 500 technology companies and how those experiences shape perceptions of trust, engagement, and alignment with organizational values. Although leadership authenticity is widely discussed in leadership research, less is known about how employees interpret authentic leadership within large corporate environments. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore how employees describe leadership authenticity and how those experiences influence perceptions of leadership effectiveness within their organizations. The study was guided by the Leadership Conscious Authenticity Index (CAI), which conceptualizes authenticity through self-awareness, relational transparency, balanced decision-making, and an internalized moral and ethical perspective. Data were collected through employee interviews, leadership questionnaires, and analysis of publicly available corporate documents to support triangulation across sources. Six employees participated in semi-structured interviews, and twenty leaders completed questionnaires describing leadership practices within their organizations. Data were coded using a structured coding matrix aligned with the conceptual framework and analyzed through thematic analysis. Participants described leadership authenticity as an integrated leadership orientation rather than separate behaviors. Transparent communication, ethical consistency, and opportunities for employees to contribute ideas or raise concerns were commonly associated with authentic leadership. Findings in this study highlight how authenticity emerged through the interaction between leader behavior and organizational systems and offer practical insights for strengthening trust, communication, and ethical leadership practices within complex organizations.