АUTHENTIC LEADERSHIP AND THE EXPERIENCE OF MEANING AT WORK

Abstract

This study examines the relationships between components of authentic leadership and the experience of meaning at work within a Bulgarian organizational context. Data were collected from 255 respondents using an original instrument measuring seven aspects of authentic leadership and the Work and Meaning Inventory (WAMI), which captures three dimensions of meaningful work: positive meaning, meaning-making through work, and a sense of greater purpose. The findings reveal statistically significant positive correlations between positive meaning at work and the following leadership dimensions: self-awareness, growth mindset, integrity, vulnerability, empathy, empowering others, and cause-driven leadership. No statistically significant correlations were found for the other two dimensions (meaning-making and greater purpose), suggesting that the personal interpretation of meaningfulness in daily work is most closely linked to perceptions of authentic leadership.