Emotional Maturity, Moral Maturity and Values of Emerging Leaders in Workplace Environments

Kurt April () and Janine Downes
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Kurt April: University of Cape Town
Janine Downes: University of Cape Town

Chapter 21 in The Palgrave Handbook of Emotions and Values in Organizational Institutionalism, 2026, pp 575-605 from Springer

Abstract: Abstract This study explored emotional and moral maturity as critical constructs for effective leadership, emphasizing their interplay with personal values and institutional dynamics. Using a qualitative, phenomenological methodology, it investigated the lived experiences of 22 post-experience MBA students to identify enablers and barriers to these maturities. Key findings highlighted self-awareness, resilience, and reflective practices as foundational enablers, aligning personal values with organizational imperatives. Emotional and moral maturity proved essential for leaders navigating institutional complexities, fostering adaptability, and promoting relational harmony in diverse organizational contexts. Grounded in institutional theory, the study showed how norms, values, and systemic structures shape emotional and moral development. Leaders exhibiting both maturities reconciled personal aspirations with institutional goals, leveraging emotional labor to sustain organizational coherence. Yet barriers such as cultural norms, systemic biases, and fear hindered expression and growth. For marginalized individuals, institutional racism and gendered expectations intensified these challenges, underscoring the importance of inclusive practices in fostering emotional resilience. The study further illuminated the dynamic role of emotions and morality in institutional theory, challenging its traditional rationalist emphasis by integrating affective dimensions. Emotional and moral maturity equip leaders to address conflicting demands, enhance decision-making, and sustain trust. These findings highlight the need for leadership development frameworks that prioritize emotional and moral maturity alongside technical skills, ensuring alignment with institutional values and societal complexities. This research contributes to the literature by bridging emotional and moral maturity with institutional theory, offering insights for cultivating values-driven leadership in evolving organizational landscapes.

Keywords: Emotional maturity; Moral maturity; Values; Shadow values; Reflexivity; Marginalized groups (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:spr:sprchp:978-3-032-12670-2_21

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DOI: 10.1007/978-3-032-12670-2_21

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