International Journal of Science, Engineering and TechnologyAuthors: Mrs. Pujalin Mishra, Dr. Manoj Kumar Sethi
Abstract: In the context of increasing workplace complexity, stress, and uncertainty, understanding how employees develop resilience has become a significant concern in organizational research. This qualitative study explores the role of coping skills, grounded in both the Indian Knowledge System (IKS) and modern psychological perspectives, as a mediating mechanism in the relationship between authentic leadership and employee resilience. Authentic leadership, characterized by self-awareness, ethical conduct, relational transparency, and balanced decision-making, is considered a critical influence on employees’ psychological and Behavioural outcomes. However, the processes through which it contributes to resilience require deeper, context-sensitive exploration. Adopting an interpretive qualitative approach, this study draws on in-depth interviews and thematic analysis to capture employees lived experiences within organizational settings. It investigates how individuals perceive authentic leadership behaviours and how such leadership fosters the development of coping strategies. Particular attention is given to coping practices derived from the Indian Knowledge System, including mindfulness (Dhyāna), equanimity (Samatva), self-awareness (Ātma-bodha), and selfless action (Karma Yoga), alongside modern coping strategies such as emotional regulation, cognitive reframing, and problem-solving. The findings are expected to reveal that authentic leadership creates a supportive and trust-based environment that encourages self-reflection, meaning-making, and emotional balance. These conditions facilitate the adoption of both traditional and modern coping mechanisms, which in turn strengthen employees’ ability to adapt, recover, and grow in the face of adversity. The study contributes to the literature by providing a nuanced understanding of the interplay between leadership, culturally embedded coping processes, and resilience. By integrating indigenous knowledge with contemporary organizational theory, this research offers a holistic framework for enhancing resilience and highlights the importance of culturally relevant coping strategies in leadership development and organizational practice.
DOI: http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20407933
