Influence of Black Greek Letter Organizations on Executive Core Qualification Leadership Practices

The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore how Black Greek Letter Organization (BGLO) members perceived alumni level BGLO involvement influenced development of Executive Core Qualification (ECQ) leadership practices in the Federal Government workplace in the District of Columbia Metropolitan area, Alabama, California, Georgia, and Texas. The Skills-Based Leadership Model provided the conceptual framework. It was not known how African American BGLO members perceived alumni level BGLO involvement influenced development of ECQ leadership practices in the Federal Government workplace. The research was guided by these questions: (a) How did African American BGLO members perceive alumni level BGLO involvement influenced development of ECQ leadership practices in the Federal Government workplace; and (b) How do African American male and female BGLO members differ in their perception of the influence of alumni level BGLO involvement on development of ECQ leadership practices in the Federal Government workplace. Participants included 12 African American alumni level BGLO members, GS-13 equivalent and above, in the District of Columbia metropolitan area, Alabama, and Georgia. Study findings identified job assignments within BGLOs, mentoring, and networking as prevalent methods of alumni level BGLOs to develop leaders. Data analysis produced five themes: leveraging diversity, developing others, strategic thinking, financial management, and partnering. Results indicated alumni level BGLO involvement influenced ECQ leadership practice development and gender did not impact perception.