Exploring a Definition of Leadership and the Biography of Dr. Frank B. Wynn
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University of Montana ScholarWorks at University of Montana Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers Graduate School 2009 EXPLORING A DEFINITION OF LEADERSHIP AND THE BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FRANK B. WYNN David Clyde Walters The University of Montana Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.umt.edu/etd Let us know how access to this document benefits ou.y Recommended Citation Walters, David Clyde, "EXPLORING A DEFINITION OF LEADERSHIP AND THE BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FRANK B. WYNN" (2009). Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers. 1299. https://scholarworks.umt.edu/etd/1299 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School at ScholarWorks at University of Montana. It has been accepted for inclusion in Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks at University of Montana. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Exploring Leadership, Frank Wynn i EXPLORING A DEFINITION OF LEADERSHIP AND THE BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FRANK B. WYNN By David Clyde Walters Bachelor of Science in Education, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho, 1979 Master of Education, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, Canada, 1996 Dissertation presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Education, Educational Leadership University of Montana Missoula, MT 2009 Reviewed by: Dr. Perry Brown Graduate School Dr. Merle Farrier, Chair Educational Leadership Dr. John Matt Educational Leadership Dr. Frances L. O’Reilly Educational Leadership Dr. Cheryl Gilmore Superintendent, Horizon School Division Dr. Charles A. Bonsett Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis Exploring Leadership, Frank Wynn ii ABSTRACT Walters, David Clyde, Ed. D., May 2009 Educational Leadership Abstract Title: Exploring a Definition of Leadership and The Biography of Dr. Frank B. Wynn. Chairperson: Dr. Merle Farrier Frank B. Wynn was a leader in the first decades of the 20 th Century. In the process of establishing timeless leadership standards for reconstructing his biography, it became apparent that no such standard existed, owing to more than 300 definitions of leadership at the end of the 20 th century. The central research question asked what elements of leadership are historically and logically independent of context, and if those elements can be illuminated in a specific example of a leader examined from holistic criteria? The study consisted of an etymology of leadership terms, an exploration of Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics , Politics , and Categories , an examination of the criteria for accurate definition, and finally a reconstructed biography of Dr. Frank B.Wynn. Keywords: Definition of leadership, etymology of leadership, Aristotle's ethics and virtues applied to leadership, leadership biography, Frank B. Wynn Exploring Leadership, Frank Wynn iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I acknowledge the faculty in The University of Montana’s Department of Educational Leadership Dr. Roberta Evans, Dr. Merle Farrier, Dr. John Lundt, Dr. John Matt, Dr. Bill McCaw, Dr. Francee O’Reilly, Dr. Don Robson, and Dr. Dean Sorenson, for the many hours of instruction and shared insight regarding educational leadership. I also acknowledge additional committee members, Dr. Cheryl Gilmore of Alberta Canada for her encouragement throughout the program and Dr. Charles Bonsett of Indiana University, Purdue University Indianapolis for his expertise in historical research regarding the biographical subject, Dr. Frank B. Wynn. Special thanks is expressed to Barbara Wynn of Monterey California for providing family history documentation for the biography, to the curators and librarians at the William Smith Memorial Library in Indianapolis, the Ruth Lilly Medical History Library on the Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis campus, the Special Collections Archives of the IUPUI main campus library, the offices of the Indiana Historical Bureau, the Indiana State Library and Museum in downtown Indianapolis, the Archives of the History of The American Psychology Association at the University of Akron, the Lincoln Boyhood National Park visitor’s center, and the Museum in the Old Pathology Building in Indianapolis. The people at these facilities and institutions were very cordial and helpful in all my research activities. I also acknowledge the thought and works of Aristotle, which should be read by all practicing leaders, and Dr. Merle Farrier for his mentorship and guidance through Aristotle’s classical works. I acknowledge the love and support of my wife, Petra and our eight children and their families, Drew and Heather Walters, Wade and Amber Walters, Evan and Christina Walters, Eliza and Davis Yawney, Lane Walters, Dean Walters, Reid Walters, and Ellen Walters. They constitute a great network of support and have continually encouraged me through this research and many other related activities and adventures. Finally I acknowledge Dr. Frank B. Wynn 1860-1922 for the legacy he left that served as the foundational inspiration for this work. Dr. Wynn’s devotion to his God and dedication to his fellowmen provides an exemplary model for the study of leadership characteristics and behavior. Throughout the research process, it often seemed as if I were guided and assisted by something supernatural. The dedicatory prayer that Dr. Wynn offered on the summit of the mountain peaks he climbed in Glacier National Park in the 1920’s seems a fitting and metaphoric summary of my acknowledgements and appreciation. “To the God of the open air we dedicate this mountain summit. To us has been given the rare privilege of its attainment. Splendid and inspiring is the reward of the toilsome ascent! Its rugged course most trying was, but now triumphant visions greet us everywhere, symbolizing the blessings to the steadfast traveler along life’s trail. The flame we here do kindle typifies the awakening of the inert dead into flaming life, rising far beyond our reach and ken, wafts upward the spirit of our aspiration toward the beneficent and Infinite One, whose presence and power we acknowledge with grateful hearts” (Frank B. Wynn, 1920). Exploring Leadership, Frank Wynn iv TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER ONE ....................................................................................................1 Introduction ....................................................................................................1 Statement of the Problem ...................................................................................5 The Research Question ......................................................................................6 Purpose of the Research .....................................................................................6 Importance of the Research ...............................................................................7 Definitions ....................................................................................................8 Chapter Summary ..............................................................................................9 CHAPTER TWO ..................................................................................................10 Introduction ..................................................................................................10 Leadership Prior to Modern Research .............................................................11 Modern Leadership Theory Development to 1990 ..........................................11 Milestone Leadership Works at about 1990 ....................................................13 Leadership Theory Development from1990 to 2008 .......................................19 Conclusions Drawn from Modern Leadership Research .................................34 Chapter Summary ............................................................................................35 CHAPTER THREE ...............................................................................................37 Introduction ..................................................................................................37 The Central Research Question .......................................................................37 Research Design...............................................................................................38 Phase One ..................................................................................................39 Phase Two ..................................................................................................39 Phase Three ................................................................................................39 Phase Four ..................................................................................................40 Qualitative Methods ...................................................................................40 Delimitations ..............................................................................................41 Language ..............................................................................................41 The Research Subject ...........................................................................42 Limitations .................................................................................................42 Data Collection and Analysis...........................................................................43 Approval to Collect Data ...........................................................................44