Creative Minds of Leaders in Psychobiographical Perspectives: Exploring the Life and Work of Christiaan Barnard and Angela Merkel

Claude Hélène Mayer, Roelf van Niekerk

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

5 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Creativity changes over the lifespan. Therefore, creative thinking should be investigated at different life stages and in different contexts. In this chapter, the careers of two exceptionally creative leaders are explored. The investigation is based on a comparative, longitudinal, psychobiographical case study design and employed a purposive sampling method to select the participants. The aim of psychobiographical case studies is to describe and interpret the contributions of exceptional individuals. Psychobiographical case studies provide a valuable method to further application and refinement of psychological theories. This study explored the manifestation of creativity in the life histories of the cardiac surgeon and medical pioneer, Christiaan Barnard, and the politician and German Chancellor, Angela Merkel. The data included both primary and secondary documentary data. The data analysis strategy proposed by Irving Alexander was used to interpret the data according to Robert Sternberg’s WICS model. To maintain ethical standards, the authors were guided by respect, empathy, and accountability in dealing with the documentary data. The investigation demonstrates the interplay of wisdom, intelligence, and creativity during the careers of extraordinary individuals.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationManagement for Professionals
PublisherSpringer Nature
Pages189-205
Number of pages17
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2020

Publication series

NameManagement for Professionals
VolumePart F430
ISSN (Print)2192-8096
ISSN (Electronic)2192-810X

Keywords

  • Comparative case study
  • Creativity
  • Leadership
  • Psychobiography
  • WICS

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Business, Management and Accounting (miscellaneous)
  • Accounting
  • Economics, Econometrics and Finance (miscellaneous)
  • Finance

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