Edinburgh Napier University

  Many business sectors have witnessed multiple attempts to define the competence of leaders and none more so within healthcare. Contemporary evidence suggests that the focus remains on upskilling of leaders rather than developing residual knowledge within existing organisational structures or systems. To allow a divergent perspective on this dilemma, this discussion will draw upon a non-contemporary analytical tradition of logic from Hegel (1770-1831) and to a lesser extent, Kant (1724-1808) as an intuitive lens for interpretation. In doing so, we consider a unique praxis of what some may call an alternative ‘Hegelian’ approach to common business issues by rejecting the dialectic monism of traditional analytical techniques often associated with connexions of knowledge transfer regimes. Taking this position, we of course reject Russell’s (1872-1970) rather intimidating dismissal of metaphysical idealism and draw from Hegel’s complex but sophisticated analytical approach to inferentialism. This permits the discussion to move away from the more traditional (dogmatic) opines of representationalism frequently adopted in contemporary literature. In doing so, we examine inferentialism not as a contextual solipsism, but as a humanistic link to value and discernment as verifiable knowledge in business context. We conclude by aligning these facets together as a singular frame of reference to allow the development of new ideas around decision-making protocols. Thus, link the dynamics of Hegel’s evaluative reasoning to problems associated with leadership in a contemporary business environment.