Martin, Brittany HarkerSyme, Paul David John2024-08-202024-08-202024-08-07Syme, P. D. J. (2024). What are imaginative capabilities and how do they develop? A grounded theoretical approach to understanding imaginative leadership (Doctoral thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca.https://hdl.handle.net/1880/119391This thesis presents findings from a grounded theoretical investigation of imaginative educational leaders and the knowledge embedded in their lived-experience and practice to inform new theory on imaginative capabilities and their development in leadership. Through a grounded theory approach, interviews with 15 leaders of social change and innovation were analyzed for emergent themes using open, axial, and selective coding. 686 initial codes were theoretically coded through constant comparison until data saturation was achieved. Selective coding was then used to conceptualize themes into core categories and their related capabilities. Two core categories emerged that each represent an holistic behavioural pattern comprised of three interrelated and inseparable behaviours: 1) Sense–Think–Act and 2) Ponder–Enact–Play. From these behavioural patterns, six imaginative capabilities were identified as core to imaginative leadership. While the sample size and method are limited in terms of generalizability, rich findings offer potential transferability to a variety of leadership contexts where imaginative capabilities are desired or required. Practical implications and recommendations for educational systems, leadership education, and future research are discussed. This is a novel investigation of imagination that provides insights on behaviour and capabilities not yet captured by contemporary educational leadership theories. Findings are original and distinct and identify a critical connection between cognitive and embodied experience, as well as unstructured time and space, as central to the formation of imaginative practice. Moreover, to my knowledge, this is the first study of its kind to investigate imagination outside the head, particularly in relation to a leader’s environment and lived experience.enUniversity of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.Leadership developmentimaginative capabilitiesinnovative behaviourgrounded theoryEducationEducation--AdministrationBusiness Administration--ManagementEducation--Adult and Continuingdoctoral thesis