IS LEADERSHIP AN IDEOLOGY? A RESEARCH PROJECT INSPIRED BY T. W. ADORNO

ABSTRACT Purpose: On the assumption that leadership is a social construction driven by interests, this article presents the results of an empirical research designed with the purpose of investigating the concept of leadership. Originality/gap/relevance/implications: The originality is the use of empirical procedures inspired by the work of an author often quoted in studies of theoretical and essayistic nature, but whose work in empirical research is little known among us. Key methodological aspects: The methodological procedures were chosen inspired by those used by T. W. Adorno in F scale production, which was oriented to identify contradictions, opposing views and unusual aspects not usually found in general literature on this subject. Summary of key results: It was identified that the exercise of leadership is motivated by interests - not those of one class against another, but those within the same social class - which are presented from different points of view, depending on whether the individual is or is not playing this role; there is a tendency to hide the relationship between the leadership and the exercise of power, and also that leaders that were in activity tend to hide the interests related to the exercise of this social role (such as the financial ones), as well as trying to characterize leadership as something extraordinary - characterization not recognized by many of the individuals who were no longer playing that role; and finally, that interests may be also related to the opportunity to offer training programs for the development of "leadership skills". Key considerations/conclusions: The results allow a deconstruction of some of the speeches involving aspects usually presented as characterizing this construct and suggests new research ways to seek the understanding of this object. RESUMEN Objetivo: En el supuesto de que el liderazgo es una construcción social impulsada por intereses, este artículo presenta los resultados de una investigación social empírica diseñada con el objetivo de investigar el concepto de liderazgo. Originalidad/laguna/relevancia/implicaciones: La originalidad reside en el uso de procedimientos empíricos inspirados en la obra de un autor citado con frecuencia en los estudios de carácter teórico y ensayístico, pero cuya trayectoria en la investigación empírica es poco conocido en nuestro medio. Principales aspectos metodológicos: Se eligieron procedimientos metodológicos que se inspiraron en los utilizados por T. W.