| This dissertation explores the qualities of effective leaders in the Public Service of British Columbia as seen through the eyes of current business and strategic leaders. Traditional and modern scholarly influences in the field of leadership studies were explored in depth, the core conceptual framework focusing on strengths-based leadership and the potential of positive psychology to inspire leaders to enable a thriving workplace where results are achieved. The methodological approach was secondary analysis of archived data collected from 210 participants in a leadership workshop held across the Province of BC. Results were validated in a focus group with 10 representatives of the original respondent group. The research revealed that in an environment of ongoing change, there are certain leadership qualities that single out effective leaders from the rest in terms of the impact they create on others, such as personal characteristics comprised of character strengths and virtues, emotional maturity and self-love, behavioural dimensions comprised of effective orientation towards others -- social maturity, relationship and team-building, and cultural dimensions describing the organizational context, comprised of organizational awareness, aligned communications, and support. Findings led to a conceptual leadership model corresponding to the three categories, respectively, Leading Self, Leading Others, Leading Organization. |
