Character for Leadership
75
study should be replicated using pastoral ministry
leaders as a population, not just
prospective leaders.
Some concepts that are part of VLT were addressed conceptually in the
literature review but not specifically measured by this study. One specific concept
is that of vision. Is vision tied to self-regulation (as
posited in the literature
review)? Is vision also tied to one’s character trait of self-transcendence (the ability
to see long-term implications)? Additional research should consider these questions
specifically to determine the emergence of such a significant construct to the
landscape of leadership literature (Conger, 1989; Strange & Mumford, 2002).
Second, this study did not specifically consider how
the situation affects the
leadership outcome of the situation as posited by VLT. Future studies should
consider how the character of the leader interacts with particular aspects of the
situation to create a positive organizational outcome.
As stated, significant links have been found in the literature between
transformational
leadership and follower affect, follower development of trust, and
overall measures organizational effectiveness. However, future research should
attempt to address how these areas of leadership and organizational function are
affected by the character traits of leaders.
This study has attempted to demonstrate that specific
character traits are
necessary to effective leadership function. If this is true, our only hope for good
leadership then is to develop leaders of good character. If then it is possible to
intentionally
foster such changes in people, then maybe our most significant hope
lays in the process of building character (Klann, 2007).