Abstract
To usher change leadership in Africa, this chapter suggests the conversion of Cattell’s syntality into social dynamite with a preliminary step consisting of changing African group syntality into a social and leadership dynamite force, through the de-collectivization and de-traditionalization of the collective mind regarding the top-down single leadership privileges and prerogatives; then, inviting communities to march in unison with such dynamic collective efficacy to usher change leadership or the leadership of change. This requires an adoption of Afrikology, an epistemology that recognizes orality as a valid source of knowledge, a true philosophy of knowledge and wisdom based on African cosmogonies. The vehicle of establishment will implement social exchange theory which denotes an interplay between structure, strategy and environment by moving communities and organizations from overpowering leadership to power-building initiatives, supporting the process with innovation and learning groups to maintain the new syntality and leadership of change.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Adadevoh, D. (2007). Leading transformation in Africa. Orlando, FL: ILF Publishers.
Adler, N. J. (1991). International dimensions of organizational behavior. Boston, MA: PWS Kent.
Bandura, A. (1997). Self-efficacy: The exercise of control. New York: W. H. Freeman.
Bandura, A. (2000). Exercise of human agency through collective efficacy. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 9(3), 75–78.
Cattell, R. (1948). Concepts and methods in the measurement of group Syntality. Psychological Review, 55, 48–63.
Dreu, D. C. K. W. (1997). Productive conflict: The importance of conflict management and conflict issue. In C. K. W. De Dreu & E. van de Vliert (Eds.), Using conflict in organizations. London: Sage Publications.
Elly, W. R. (2013). Afrikology and community: restorative cultural practices in East Africa. Journal of Pan African Studies, 6(6), 1–25.
Foucault, M. (1970). The order of things. London: Tavistcok Publications.
Fullan, M., Cuttress, C., & Kilcher, A. (2005). 8 forces for leaders of change. JSD, 16(4), 54–67.
Garver, N. (1968, June 24). What violence is? The Nation, N° 209.
Habisso, T. (2011). The problematic of leadership succession in Africa: Why do leaders cling to power? Retrieved from http://www.tigraionline.com/articles/article110607.html
Hensley, T. R., & Griffin, G. W. (1986). Victims of Groupthink: The Kent State University Board of Trustees and the 1977 gymnasium controversy. Journal of Conflict Resolution, 30(3), 497–531.
Hofstede, G. (1980). Culture’s consequences: International differences in work related values. Beverly Hills, CA: Sage Publications.
Hofstede, G. (1991). Cultures and organizations: Software of the mind. London: McGraw-Hill.
Hofstede, G. (2011). Dimensionalizing cultures: The Hofstede model in context. The Berkeley Electronic Press, 2(1/8), 1–26.
House, R, J. (1996). Path-goal theory of leadership: Lessons, legacy, and reformulated theory. The Leadership Quarterly, 7(3), 323–352.
House, R. J., & Dessler, G. (1974). The path-goal theory of leadership: Some post hoc and a priori tests. In J. G. Hunt & L. L. Larson (Eds.), Contingency approaches to leadership (pp. 29–62). Carbondale, IL: Southern Illinois University Press.
Khunou, S. F. (2007). A legal history of traditional leaders in South Africa, Bostwana, and Lesotho. LLD thesis, Northwest University Potchefstroom Campus. Retrieved from http://dspace.nwu.ac.za/handle/10394/1144
Koyana, D. S. (2004, October 25–29). The crucial role of traditional leaders and conflict resolution process. Paper presented at the PANAFEST Conference, East London.
Marriott, W. K. (2006). Nicolo Machiavelli, Il Principe. Retrieved June 19, 2014 from http://www.gutenberg.org/files/1232/1232-h/1232-h.html
Mbiti, J. (1970). African Religions and Philosophies. New York: Doubleday and Company.
Menkiti, I, A. (1984). Person and community in Africa traditional thought. Retrieved June 19, 2014 from http://courseweb.stthomas.edu/sjlaumakis/Reading-AFRICAN-VIEW.pdf
Nabudere, D. (2011). Afrikology: Philosophy and Wholeness. Pretoria: Africa Institute of South Africa.
Prussia, G. E., & Kinicki, A. (1996). A motivational investigation of group effectiveness using social-cognitive theory. Journal of Applied Psychology, 81, 187–198.
Ralston, D. A., Gustafson, D. J., Cheung, F. M., & Terpstra, R. H. (1993). Differences in managerial values: A study of US, Hong Kong and PRC managers. Journal of International Business Studies, 24(2), 249–275.
Samuelson, F. K. (2013). The origin and nature of traditional leadership in South Africa: A precolonial perspective. In G. Collier (Ed.), African cultures and literatures: A miscellany (pp. 293–321). Amsterdam: Matatu.
Senge, P. (1999). The dance of change: Mastering the twelve challenges to change in a learning organization. New York: Doubleday.
Stewart, G. L., Manz, C. C., & Sims, H. P. (1999). Team work and group dynamics. New York: John Wiley.
Theimann, N. M., April, K., & Blass, E. (2006). Context tension: Cultural influences on leadership and management practice. Reflections, 7(4), 38–51.
Vasilescu, C. (2012). Change leadership for process improvement. Management and Economics, 3(67), 326–333.
Wagner, T., Kegan, R., Lahey, L. L., Lemons, R. W., Garnier, J., Helsing, D., et al. (2010). Change leadership: A practical guide to transforming our schools (Google eBook). New York: John Wiley & Sons.
Watson, C. B., Chemers, M. M., & Preiser, N. (2010). Collective efficacy: A multilevel. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 27(8), 1057–1068.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2017 The Author(s)
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Toulassi, B. (2017). Converting Cattell’s Syntality to Change Leadership in Africa. In: Patterson, K., Winston, B. (eds) Leading an African Renaissance. Palgrave Studies in African Leadership. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-40539-1_1
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-40539-1_1
Published:
Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-319-40538-4
Online ISBN: 978-3-319-40539-1
eBook Packages: Business and ManagementBusiness and Management (R0)