(Dis)Ableing Notions of Authentic Leadership Through the Lens of Critical Disability Theory

Abstract

The Problem. Persons with disabilities (PWD) are regarded as "the Other" and are sequestered from "normative" society because of their "Otherness." "Othering" results in discrimination and the systemic preclusion of PWD. Ableism is the belief that being without a disability, impairment, or chronic illness is the norm. The notion that people without disabilities are the norm and are inherently superior is accepted without critique by those that advocate for authentic leadership. This privileges ableism and furthers the "Othering" of PWD within a leadership style intended to promote self-awareness, beliefs and ethics, and interpersonal relationships. The Solution. The disabled experience and differently abled voice must be restored through relationally "being" with others and authentic dialogue. What is needed is a shift from the deficit model of authentic leadership to a social paradigm of authentic leadership, welcoming of bodily and psychic difference. This will better enable both leaders and employees to craft an authentic profile in the workplace. The Stakeholders. Leaders and those who seek to become leaders following an authentic leadership approach can benefit from a better understanding of how their ingrained belief systems impact those that they lead who are both "ablebodied" and "disabled." Human resource development (HRD) practitioners and leadership development practitioners can use this information to deconstruct and reconstruct leadership development opportunities to be inclusive as an authentic leader.

Sanism, Black Dogs Barking, and Mental Illness

“…Nor can I say that my experiences with people with mental illnesses have been extensive. What I have learned from my collaboration with Greg Procknow is that there are people with mental illness who function at a high level, that calling people crazy and other such descriptors is wrong and hurtful (Procknow and Rocco, ; Procknow, Rocco, and Munn, in press), and that as a society we need to move away from our current understanding and image of mental illness as the homeless roaming our streets who talk to themselves. What I have learned about depression from Stephen Brookfield's () forthright descriptions of his struggles with dealing with the diagnosis and management of depression is that our paternalistic attitudes interfere with managing and understanding depression.…”

Campus recreation inclusion for people with disabilities: a qualitative investigation of current inclusive practices.

“…This lack of autonomy is an example of ableism. Ableism is the belief held by a person without a disability, that is to say an ablebodied person, is the norm against which all others are compared (Procknow, Rocco & Munn, 2017).…”

“…According to Procknow, Rocco, and Munn (2017), CDT asserts the following six core concepts: ableism is invisible, the epistemic violence against the disabled, the binary view of disability instead of a continuum of human variation, disability as a social construct, the right of autonomy and self-determination for people with disabilities, and the medical industry's commodification of people with disabilities. The core concepts of CDT identify the obstacles people with disabilities inherit due to the perceived norms of society.…”

“…This can be seen with people with disabilities in the notion of ableism. Ableism is the belief of a person without a disability, that is to say an able-bodied person, is the norm against which all others are compared (Procknow, Rocco & Munn, 2017). CDT, on the other hand, is an understanding of the realities people with physical and cognitive disabilities face (Procknow, et al, 2017;Rocco, 2005).…”

“…Ableism is the belief of a person without a disability, that is to say an able-bodied person, is the norm against which all others are compared (Procknow, Rocco & Munn, 2017). CDT, on the other hand, is an understanding of the realities people with physical and cognitive disabilities face (Procknow, et al, 2017;Rocco, 2005). According to Procknow, Rocco, and Munn (2017), CDT asserts the following six core concepts: (a) ableism is invisible, (b) the epistemic violence against the disabled, (c) the binary view of disability instead of a continuum of human variation, (d) disability as a social construct, (e) the medical industry's commodification of people with disabilities, and (f) the right of autonomy and self-determination for people with disabilities.…”