Att vara sig själv i rollen som militär ledare : En kvalitativ studie om specialistofficerares upplevelser av tillämpningen avautenticitet i militära kontexter

Sammanfattning: Since 2003 the Swedish Armed Forces uses Developmental Leadership as their formal leadership model. The model is characterised by the leader acting as a role model and providing inspiration, motivation and personal consideration. The model stresses the importance authenticity plays in achieving the motivational aspects of leadership. The current literature on authenticity shows almost solely positive effects of the application of authenticity. However, there are organizational factors that seem to impede the non-commissioned officers’ ability to freely express their authentic self. Therefore, this study has aimed to deeper investigate the possible discrepancy between the application of authenticity in theory in relation to practice. To achieve this, we strive to answer the question as to how non-commissioned officers experience the practical application of authenticity in military contexts. A qualitative semistructured interview guide was chosen as the research method. The participants consisted of six non-commissioned officers in troop leading positions within the Swedish Armed Forces. Through a thematic analysis the data resulted in three main themes with a total of eleven subcategories. The study concludes that the results support the Developmental Leadership model´s claim that environmental factors affect the way leaders can exert Developmental Leadership. In addition, the study also contribute to a clearer picture of how these factors specifically affect leaders ability to act authentically.