Once learned, never forgotten: effective leadership development with social construction as a threshold concept

Abstract

Purpose This paper aims to discuss leadership development with social construction as the underpinning theory. Design/methodology/approach This is an autoethnographic study of the author’s insights from teaching leadership from a social construction perspective. Findings The social construction approach to leadership looks and behaves as a threshold concept in leadership. It takes students’ learning to a higher level, opens up a new curriculum, and changes their understanding of leadership for good. Originality/value The discovery that the social construction approach to leadership looks and behaves as a threshold concept suggests that there is something fundamentally important with this perspective. It positions the social construction approach as an overarching theory that helps students re-evaluate, appreciate, and find value in traditional leadership theories.