Towards Generative Leadership:
Insights from the Social Construction of Leadership by the Yorubas

A. Area and Topic
My study is about the Social Construction of Leadership and of Leaders, by the Yorubas, most of who live in South-Western Nigeria – and, thanks to the slave trade, have historical and cultural roots in Brazil, Cuba, Haiti, the Caribbean. The study will be an exploration of, and an inquiry into the phenomenon of leadership as socially constructed by the Yorubas in their history, sociology, philosophy and culture; and as ‘encoded’ in their myths, stories, language, sayings and proverbs and as practiced in their society.

B. Statement of Purpose for this Study
The aim of the study is to describe and understand the leadership phenomenon from the world-view of the Yorubas; to discover a model of their leadership practices through their recorded history, language, philosophy, culture and in contemporary times. The study will go on to inquire into the impact Yoruba social construction of leadership have had on the development of the Yorubas as a Nation and as a nation within the Nigerian State. A further aim of this study is to inquire into how these constructions might be beneficial in developing a 'successor-generation' of leaders especially for Nigeria - first as a contribution to the conversation in the literature on 'Generative Leadership' and a contribution to the global conversation about the nature of leadership and leading; and what it might mean to be and effective leader.

C. Research questions
I would like to frame this study around a major question with a few sub-questions as follows:

a. General
In developing the next generation of leaders, is there a model or models of leadership that the Yorubas as a nation and a culture have practiced in a distinctive and consistent way which has relevance and can be recommended?

b. Specific

1. What is the Yoruba nation's view of leadership and leaders?
2. Assuming these as social constructions, what are these constructions, what evidence do we have for them and how have the constructions come about?
3. To what form of leadership has this led in practice?
4. In my view (given by own biography), what impact has this form of leadership had on the Yoruba nation?
5. What is my (from my own biography and career) evaluation of this impact?
6. What lessons can be learnt for generative leadership from this social construction, impact and evaluation?