Regenerative leadership : understanding the possibilities of a new leadership paradigm for the corporate sector

Abstract: In the face of numerous environmental and social crises, leadership that connects people to themselves, each other, and nature is urgently needed. An emerging leadership strand that seems capable of doing so is regenerative leadership. Based on the interconnectedness of humans and nature, this field strives to increase the health and well-being of people and socio-ecological systems. Through an inductive multiple-case study with semi-structured interviews, this master's thesis explores how regenerative leadership is enabled or constrained in businesses. The results reveal that multiple interlinked organizational and personal aspects inform the possibilities for leadership that better connects people and nature. Seemingly, leaders hold convictions and enact approaches crucial for regenerative leadership. Still, corporate structure and culture are decisive and either support or hinder the endeavors of leaders. Moreover, people's urge to address global issues simultaneously enables and constrains regenerative leadership; despite having good intentions, they neglect to be sustainable with themselves. Thus, although connecting to nature and preserving it for its own sake seems complicated, this thesis contributes new knowledge of leaders' conviction that humans and nature are interconnected, providing a ground for regenerative leadership to take root.