The impact of authentic leadership on construction project success in the Durban construction industry

Abstract

Leaders that practice authenticity take full responsibility for their actions, good and bad. Leaders that represent this style are self-aware and can adjust their approach to leading based on the specific needs of the circumstance. By developing this self-awareness, authentic leaders can wholly embrace their identity as individuals and as leaders. Relationships between project managers and their subordinates are a crucial element in the construction industry. There is a dearth of studies that examine the effects of authentic leadership on construction projects, despite its significance and potential contribution to project delivery. This research investigates the impact of authentic leadership on project success within the Durban construction industry. It addresses the pressing need for effective leadership competencies to mitigate high project failure rates and enhance company growth. Through comprehensive data collection and analysis, the research identifies key authentic leadership components. These include relational transparency, self-regulation, self-awareness and balanced processing. The research utilises both correlation and regression analyses with the findings confirming a positive correlation between authentic leadership traits and project success. Specifically, self-awareness emerged as a critical predictor of project success. Conversely, self-regulation showed no significant impact, while relational transparency and balanced processing had moderate effects. The research suggests several actionable recommendations for the construction industry. These include implementing comprehensive leadership training programs, fostering environments that encourage authentic leadership, promoting a culture of ethical leadership and adopting authentic leadership frameworks. Additionally, developing feedback mechanisms and strategies for continuous improvement are recommended to enhance leadership effectiveness. This research contributes valuable insights and practical strategies for cultivating authentic leadership in the construction industry, aiming to improve project success rates and overall industry performance. Future research should explore other authentic leadership aspects and their effects across different industries to broaden the understanding of effective leadership in diverse contexts.