Toward a Cultural-Psychological Theory of Leadership: Getting Inspiration from Boesch, Lewin, and Vygotsky
摘要
This chapter introduces the general reader to the foundational principles of Lewin’s Field Theory, Boesch’s Symbolic Action Theory, and Vygotsky’s Cultural-Historical Approach. It presents the key elements of each scientific model while exploring their applicability to the study of leadership. After elucidating this unique application, I synthesize a model that integrates the contributions of Boesch, Lewin, and Vygotsky. This model encompasses the life-space of the individual as an experiential unit, highlighting the individual’s awareness of myths and fantasms and examining how psychological and physical barriers can be navigated through sign- and tool-systems. Within this framework, I provisionally define the role of the leader as one who facilitates awareness of individual fantasms and private needs, guiding employees in linking these fantasms to myths, assisting them in overcoming barriers within their life-space, and monitoring how the utilization of tools and signs impacts the individual holistically. I conclude the chapter by proposing a research domain termed Small Act Psychology (SAP), which can be employed in the qualitative inquiry of leadership and helps to define leadership from a microgenetic perspective as well.