June 11, 2024
Dissertation Title: “Leadership – Managing People Amidst Paradoxes” by Shoaib Amjad Hussain, Candidate PhD Management.
Date: June 11, 2024 - Tuesday
Time: 10:00 a.m.
Venue: Faculty Lounge (SDSB building, 4th floor)
Zoom link: https://lums-edu-pk.zoom.us/j/91346414299?pwd=YlZPZ1FEWDFtK0U3V0xaRTZkcFk2UT09
Meeting ID: 913 4641 4299
Passcode: 842143
Dissertation Defence Committee
Dr Muhammad Abdur Rahman Malik - Supervisor & Chair
Dr Ghufran Ahmad – Member SDSB
Dr Ayesha Masood – Member SDSB
Dr Muhammad Hamad Alizai ‐ Member (LUMS)
Dr Muhammad Athar Siddiqui - External Examiner (UCP)
Abstract
Leadership significantly shapes the vision and success of individuals and organisations. However, research often oversimplifies leadership complexities, creating a gap between theory and practice. This thesis aims to address this shortcoming using the paradox theory to better understand the complexity in leadership studies. Focusing on leader behaviors, it considers leaders' cognitive processes of behavioral decision making, contextual factors such as people management paradoxes, cognitive aspects like the leader paradox mindset, and behavioral elements including paradoxical leader behavior.
The first paper introduces a 2 x 2 typology of leader behaviors, revealing gaps in existing research. The second paper develops a framework within Leader-Member Exchange (LMX) and Conservation of Resources (COR) theories to explain how leaders strategically use positive or negative behaviours to achieve desired outcomes. The third paper examines how a leader's paradox mindset and role ambiguity influence leader authenticity and use of different influence tactics. The fourth paper investigates the impact of people management paradoxes on leader behaviours and subordinate performance, highlighting the roles of leader political skill and subordinate work grit.
With these four papers this thesis provides nuanced insights into leadership and offers valuable theoretical and practical implications for leaders and HR practitioners.