Finding human nature coherence in theoretical narratives: A heuristics approach and a leadership illustration

Abstract

Overlooking the explanatory consequences of human nature assumptions (models of people) may compromise the internal coherence of leadership theories that use two or more models of people. However, judging the internal coherence of theories based on their human nature assumptions can be challenging, partly due to the complexity of human nature. I attempt to reduce the complexity by proposing human nature as heuristics that provide explanatory leverage to theoretical narratives. The other part of the challenge lies in the near absence of appropriate conceptual tools for straightforward comparisons of human nature assumptions. To tackle this challenge, I propose a typology of human nature heuristics and illustrate its usefulness in judging the internal coherence of multiple leadership theories. The human nature heuristics typology can also provide a conceptual framework for integrating leadership and human resource management literature.