The Merits of Trust in Transformational Leadership

207 Pages·2016·1.28 MB·English

Walden University
ScholarWorks
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Collection
2016
The Merits of Trust in Transformational Leadership
Yonnette Hyman-Shurland
Walden University
Follow this and additional works at:https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations
Part of theBusiness Administration, Management, and Operations Commons,Management
Sciences and Quantitative Methods Commons, and theOrganizational Behavior and Theory
Commons
This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection at ScholarWorks. It has been
accepted for inclusion in Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks. For more information, please
[email protected].
Walden University

College of Management and Technology

This is to certify that the doctoral dissertation by

Yonnette Hyman-Shurland

has been found to be complete and satisfactory in all respects,
and that any and all revisions required by
the review committee have been made.

Review Committee
Dr. Dean Frost, Committee Chairperson, Management Faculty
Dr. Carol Wells, Committee Member, Management Faculty
Dr. Howard Schechter, University Reviewer, Management Faculty

Chief Academic Officer
Eric Riedel, Ph.D.

Walden University
2016
Abstract
The Merits of Trust in Transformational Leadership
by
Yonnette Hyman-Shurland

MBA, American InterContinental University, 2004
MS, Capella University, 2008

Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment
of the Requirements for the Degree of
Doctor of Philosophy
Management

Walden University
May 2016
Abstract
Trust in transformational leadership is related to motivation, self-enhancement, and
positive job outcomes. Trust in the leader-follower relationship, from the perspective of
subordinates, has yet to be examined. Trust is considered an important factor when
seeking to improve the chances for organizational success and positive job outcomes. The
merits of trust in transformational leadership were addressed in this qualitative case study
for the purpose of understanding the value of trust in leader-follower relationships viewed
from the experiences of subordinates. Interviews were conducted with 30 participants
from 2 organizations within the Newton and Rockdale counties located in the state of
Georgia; the chosen sample size was an exhaustive representation of those interviewed
and conveyed the depth and breadth of participants’. Research questions addressed how
subordinates perceived trust in their leaders and how leaders put into practice trust in
their leader-follower relationships. Questions were analyzed using open and axial coding
and the following themes emerged: perseverance, effective communication, feedback,
commitment, confidence, unity, dependability, exemplary leadership, helpfulness, and
satisfaction. Some connections were made between trust in transformational leadership
and subordinates’ views of their trust in leaders. By implementing these practices and
hiring managers with transformational behaviors, organizations can help succeed in
engaging employees to promote trusting relationships and encourage future research in
the leadership management field. This study may affect positive social change by
demonstrating how trust can be created by both leaders and followers: these findings may
also contribute to the expansion of new leadership development training programs.
The Merits of Trust in Transformational Leadership
by
Yonnette Hyman-Shurland

MBA, American InterContinental University, 2004
MS, Capella University, 2008

Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment
of the Requirements for the Degree of
Doctor of Philosophy
Management

Walden University
June 2016
Dedication
“I can do all things through Christ which strengthened me”. Philippians 4:13
To my late husband Merrill Hyman who departed this world too soon.
To my mother who departed this world on September 11, 2015; you will be sadly missed.
To my husband Mark thanks for your patience. Much dedication goes out to
pastor Bobby and Pauline Sims and family, my family, all my 13 brothers and sisters who
insisted that their names be mentioned (Owen, Colin, Ingrid, Deborah, Paula, Lorenza,
Camille, Christopher, Rawle, Dawn, John, Nicola, and Oswald), relatives, and friends
who comforted me at times needed to be comforted, supported me throughout my
endeavors, and prayed for me; I could not have accomplished my goals without your
help. You taught me the importance of unity and the value of recognizing it. I will always
cherish the memories. Again, I thank you.
Acknowledgments
I am very grateful to the committee that was involved in assisting me to acquire
my doctoral degree for without them it might have been just an imagination. I will like to
extend special thanks to Dr. Dean Frost who was my mentor for various courses, the
chair of my committee, and a forceful instrument in my accomplishments. I appreciated
your patience, tolerance, your valuable advice, and constructive criticism; your principles
motivated me to produce work of high standard as you expected.
I recognized and thank my course professor, Dr. Carol Wells for her guidance and
keeping me focus even though it was hard at times, words were always used that
enhanced my motivation; it was a lesson well learned. Heartfelt gratitude is extended to
my loving children Merrill, Michael, Mark, Masandra, and Melonnette Hyman who made
comments and give suggestions in their own way to the accomplishment of my degree. I
acknowledged a dynamic team and with happiness, I thank you.
Thanks to my mother, Rosemay, who encouraged me when I felt this
accomplishment was a mere dream and to my relatives who were optimistic of my future
at times when I wanted to give up. I will always love you Mom and I will miss you. I
acknowledge the Anointed Body of Christ and Church family along with Special Needs
Advocate for Parents of Georgia and staffs that were very supportive, compassionate to
learn of my endeavors, and were willing to participate in the process of my
accomplishment.
Thanks to my husband Mark who joined in assisting me to make my dream a
reality; you’ve made me lucky to have you. To all my readers, it is hoped that this
research will bring about positive thinking and that you may view positive leadership as a
priority and an important function in your life as well as in today’s society.
“You that study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your
own hands as we commanded you; that you may walk honestly toward them that are
without and that you may lack nothing”. 1st Thessalonians 4: 11-12.
Table of Contents
List of Tables ..................................................................................................................... vi
List of Figures ................................................................................................................... vii
Chapter 1: Introduction to the Study ....................................................................................1
Background of the Problem ...........................................................................................9
A Knowledge Gap in the Empirical Literature ............................................................11
Problem Statement .......................................................................................................11
Purpose of the Study ....................................................................................................14
Research Questions ......................................................................................................15
Conceptual Framework for the Study ..........................................................................15
Nature of the Study ......................................................................................................19
Definitions and Axioms ...............................................................................................21
Assumptions .................................................................................................................23
Scope and Delimitations ..............................................................................................24
Limitations ...................................................................................................................26
Significance of the Study .............................................................................................27
Summary ......................................................................................................................28
Chapter 2: Literature Review .............................................................................................30
Introduction ..................................................................................................................30
Literature Search Strategy............................................................................................31
Gap in the Literature ....................................................................................................31
Conceptual Framework ................................................................................................32
i
Trust in Leadership ......................................................................................................41
Trust ..........................................................................................................................45
Transformational Leadership .......................................................................................45
Building Trust ..............................................................................................................46
Research Methodology as a Key to Further Understanding ........................................48
Recent Research .................................................................................................... 49
Historic Research .................................................................................................. 50
Conclusions ..................................................................................................................53
Summary ......................................................................................................................57
Chapter 3: Research Method ..............................................................................................58
Introduction ..................................................................................................................58
Interview Questions .....................................................................................................58
Questions for Leaders ........................................................................................... 59
Role of Trust Questions ........................................................................................ 60
Leadership Questions ............................................................................................ 60
Questions for Subordinates ................................................................................... 60
Exploratory Questions .......................................................................................... 61
Trust in Leadership ............................................................................................... 61
Outcomes .............................................................................................................. 61
Interview Protocol ........................................................................................................66
Role of the Researcher .................................................................................................67
Protection of Participants’ Information .......................................................................68
ii