Success as a Social and Dynamic Process: Reflections and Implications from the Field of Leadership Development in a Global Pharmaceutical Company

Conduct a quick internet search on “success” and one is greeted with an extensive list of inspirational quotes propagating the conventional belief that setting goals, working hard, and believing in oneself will ensure enduring success. This common portrayal of success as a linear and straightforward concept contains the underlying message that if individuals are not successful, they are doing something wrong—they must try harder, strengthen their mindset, and persevere in the face of difficulty. While such quotes may feel motivational in the moment, the reality of the situation is not so simple; in fact, quite the opposite. This thesis explores the true nature of success in organizations, providing a close and critical examination of the topic and diving deeply into the nuances of everyday events and organizational dynamics that shape and define our experience of success at work. Underpinned by the “complex responsive processes of relating” perspective (Griffin, 2002; Shaw, 2002; Stacey, 2010), which acknowledges the inseparability of individuals and their ongoing influence on each other, this body of work sheds new light on the connections between social, evolutionary, and other forces that impact the choices we make in our everyday lives as we strive for success, and builds our understanding of success as a social and dynamic process in organizations. Additionally, this thesis provides an in-depth, novel critique of the dominant discourse regarding success, highlighting how business and academic literature fall short in acknowledging the complexity of the topic, and exposing the discord between the idealized, formulaic, and prescriptive mainstream rhetoric and the actual, lived experience of individuals in the workplace. Finally, the findings and arguments offered, which provide a fresh perspective for how success may be understood, carry important and tangible implications for those working in the field of leadership development, a discipline typically saturated with overly-simplistic models and ideals regarding success. This research builds the case for us to modify our approach to leadership development, starting with a critical look at the ubiquitous foundational beliefs of the field of leadership development itself. By adding depth and dimension to the topic of success through close examination of everyday organizational experiences, practitioners will find that it is no longer possible to approach leadership development (or attempts to achieve personal success) in such a simplistic manner. The more nuanced understanding of success provided in this thesis will cause practitioners to confront conventional expectations to implement the familiar, simplistic practices and tools commonly used in development fields, and instead begin to challenge the assumptions and beliefs that have, for too long, lain unquestioned beneath them.