Developing Authentic Leadership and Fostering Social Entrepreneurial Innovation

Abstract

Despite their inherent complexity, social entrepreneurs seek to create social innovation to stem society's wicked problems. To do so requires a balanced consideration of varying social expectations, all while trying to lead a sustainable enterprise. Educators look to equip the social entrepreneur with the right skills and mindset; with program failure, sadly, more common than not. This chapter seeks to explore the commonalities of such failures, highlighting the importance of behavioral development and facilitating an effective learning environment. Following an investigation into the notion of social entrepreneurship, authentic leadership is identified as a response some of the shortcomings of contemporary entrepreneurship education. The incorporation of authentic leader behaviors in entrepreneurial education can offer an injection as the social entrepreneur seeks to address the various challenges of social enterprise.