Decoding Leaders Experiences of Innovation, Adaptation and Change Through the Lens of Dispositional Attitudes Toward Risk in a Global Fortune 500 Organization

Abstract

This mixed-methods case study explores how differences in dispositional attitudes toward risk among middle and senior managers are reflected in their perceptions of innovation, change management, and adaptive leadership. Interview and survey data were collected from a sample of leaders implementing organization-wide change in a global healthcare organization. Quantitative analysis revealed no significant difference between middle and senior managers’ general risk propensity, although both participant samples demonstrated higher risk propensity than the general US population. Qualitative analysis, consisting of both theoretical and open coding of narrative responses, revealed variations in risk propensity among both middle and senior managers. These variations in risk propensity were reflected in differential managers’ perceptions of innovation, change and adaptive leadership. Results of this study have implications for enterprise leaders and human resource professionals who are leading talent development and strategy in their organizations. Looking through the lens of risk propensity could help organizations identify and prepare managers for the leadership challenges associated with implementing innovation and change in competitive environments.