Exploring the Meaning of Leadership in Myanmar through Identity and Ideal: A Study in a Public Sector Organization

Myanmar, a nation steeped in history and culture, has long remained an enigmatic presence on the global stage. Despite its rich traditions and deep-rooted heritage, it has largely been isolated, facing challenges ranging from political instability to socio-economic struggles. This thesis embarks on a journey to unravel the meaning of leadership in this captivating yet concealed cultural context. This thesis is one of the first academic forays into a nation that has traditionally been off-limits to foreign researchers. This exploration serves as a significant academic endeavour in respect of a secluded nation and its traditional leadership wisdoms. The rationale for this research is rooted in the recognition ingrained by strong empirical evidence that leadership is a subjective and culturally contingent phenomenon. It is fuelled by cultural leadership scholars' claim that the current leadership theories in the leadership literature are dominated by Western-centric cultural thinking only, making it a deficient and elusive field. Meanwhile, the worldly leadership concept illuminates that diverse leadership meanings and wisdom from different parts of the world must be uncovered to gain a comprehensive understanding of this phenomenon. This study explores the meaning of leadership in Myanmar. The research is set within a public sector organisation in Myanmar. The meaning of leadership that emerged from this context is a multifaceted phenomenon that comprises several elements. The study also uncovered Myanmar's hidden treasury of traditional leadership wisdom, originating from the Buddhist Pali Canon literature, which has remained untapped in academic literature. It also revealed the influence of those traditional philosophies on the modern leadership discourse in Myanmar. This thesis embarks on a groundbreaking journey to uncover the enigmatic meaning of leadership in Myanmar, offering a unique cultural perspective that enriches our understanding of leadership in diverse global contexts.