D.B.A.  Baker College (Michigan), 2023.
Specialization:  Business Administration; Management

Exploring the exemplary followership practices of Millennial employees in middle Tennessee
172 pages. UMI #: 30526066
Citation, Abstract & Full text in ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Database

This study focused on millennials, a generation born during the 1980s who entered the labor market in the 2000s. The intent was to study the individual, managerial/executive, organizational structures, and systems influences that enable millennials to be at their best in the workplace. The study was also intended to extend Kouzes and Posner’s exemplary leadership practices model by exploring the implications of developing a similar model for exemplary followership practices. The study consisted of a purposeful sample of 10 millennial employee–followers recruited from public, private, and nonprofit employers within Middle Tennessee. The study was accomplished through a qualitative narrative design using storytelling and follow-up interviews. The findings of this study suggest three major exemplary followership themes and several subthemes that enable millennials in Middle Tennessee to be their personal best: (a) being in a positive environment, (b) having open and honest relationships, and (c) being in a united and collaborative work environment. The results of this study could be used as the foundation of a new, exemplary followership model and serve as the framework for a comprehensive professional learning and development plan to help followers, leaders, and organizations to be at their best. A critical theme for this study is that becoming one’s personal best is a socially constructed process between followers and managers/leaders that is fundamentally grounded in the principle of reciprocity. One important lesson learned from this research is that when managers and leaders in an organization actively listen and comprehend what brings significance and motivation to their followers’ work, not only will these followers remain loyal to the organization, but they will also be motivated to contribute to its cause.

• Stanley Amaladas, Ph.D., Chair
• Polly Bashore, Ph.D.
• Mary Dereshiwsky, Ph.D.