Abstract

This dissertation examines the development of humility in individuals and business organizations. Humility in business leadership has received increased attention in recent years; however, little is known regarding how individuals and organizations become more humble. The first article in this dissertation is a theoretical examination of humility and argues that the philosophy of ethicist and phenomenologist Emmanuel Levinas provides a theoretical lens by which the development of humility could be productively explored. Levinas argued that the human experience is based on the ethical responsibility that individuals have towards one another, providing a set of assumptions for an examination of professional development that involves becoming more humble. The second article will be a qualitative study of the experiences of individuals who have become humble and will be interpreted with a novel Levinasian lens. The third article will expand on the findings of the first and second articles by describing practical applications for business leaders who desire to develop humility in themselves and incorporate humble practices in their organizations.

Degree

PhD

College and Department

David O. McKay School of Education; Instructional Psychology and Technology

Rights

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