Testing a narrative methodology to explore the emergence of self-selected leaders in an online environment

A narrative psychotherapeutic methodology was extended to study emerging self-selected leaders in an online environment. The methodology developed included an interviewing protocol, a data analysis methodology and a change method. It assessed 'dominant stories', 'unique outcomes' (contradicting the former) and alternative stories. Emerging leaders reported altruistic and personal motives for building their leadership online. Online leaders recognised changes in their communication patterns (unique outcomes), 're-authored' parts of their dominant stories and produced an 'archetypal' success story inspiring others to engage in change processes. An interdisciplinary quest motivated this study with implications both as a research approach and a change catalyst.