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The transformational leader as pedagogue, physician, architect, commander, and saint: five root metaphors in Jack Welch’s letters to stockholders of General Electric

journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-09, 06:37 authored by Joel Amernic, Russell Craig, Dennis TourishDennis Tourish
We analyse the corpus of CEO letters to stockholders that were signed by a widely revered business leader, Jack Welch, during his tenure as CEO of the General Electric Company [GE], 1981–2000. Our discussion is located within theory pertaining to transformational leadership. We examine Welch’s language from the standpoint of how transformational leadership can be conceived as a rhetorical artefact of one-sided dialogue emanating from a powerful leader. We give particular attention to the saturation of Welch’s discourse with metaphors, and argue that metaphors illuminate how transformational leadership and the accompanying construct of charisma manifest themselves in practice. Five root metaphors that heightened Welch’s persuasive and rhetorical impact on his audience are identified and discussed: Welch as pedagogue, physician, architect, commander and saint. We advocate greater awareness of the rhetorical techniques employed by transformational leaders in attempts to broker compliance with their views.

History

Publication status

  • Published

Journal

Human Relations

ISSN

0018-7267

Publisher

SAGE Publications

Issue

12

Volume

60

Page range

1839-1872

Department affiliated with

  • Business and Management Publications

Full text available

  • No

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2017-06-13

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