The MOVE framework is grounded in extensive academic research combining qualitative and quantitative methods.
Academic Reference: DOI 10.17605/OSF.IO/NKB4J - ORCID 0009-0009-9708-0695
Theoretical Foundations
The MOVE framework draws from a combination of leadership theory, organizational behavior, communication science, psychology, and change management.
It integrates insights on how leaders can foster trust, motivation, and conflict resolution within project environments, emphasizing the human factors that influence project success.
The approach combines elements of emotional intelligence, psychological safety, needs-based communication, and systems thinking, linking them with practical project management and governance practices.
The result is a human-centered, needs-based leadership approach that brings together motivation, mediation, and momentum in a structured, actionable way — ensuring that leadership decisions consider both the technical and interpersonal dimensions of project work.
Qualitative Research Findings
53 in-depth expert interviews with project managers, sponsors, and team members across industries and countries.
Identified recurring patterns in needs awareness, trust building, conflict resolution, and motivational drivers.
Insights were coded thematically, leading to the creation of the MOVE Process, Competency, and Trust Models.
Strong convergence between academic theory and practitioner experience validated the model’s core elements.
Quantitative Research Findings
827 survey participants representing diverse roles, sectors, and geographies.
Tested four hypotheses linking needs-focused leadership to motivation, team retention, project success, and leadership qualities.
Results confirmed positive correlations, with small to moderate effect sizes — supporting practical relevance while highlighting the complexity of leadership impact.
Role-based differences emerged: project managers, sponsors, and team members valued competencies differently, underscoring the need for cross-role alignment.
Methodological and Conceptual Limitations
The research acknowledges limitations such as:
Overrepresentation of experienced project managers (potential role bias)
Gender and age distribution skew
Language and cultural interpretation differences in the survey
Complexity of some survey questions and forced-ranking effects
Lack of psychometric validation for survey items
Small-to-moderate effect sizes limiting generalizability
These factors provide context for interpreting results and identifying where further research is needed.
Potential directions for expanding MOVE research include:
Testing the model in different cultural clusters and industry contexts
Measuring long-term effects of needs-focused leadership on organizational performance
Further developing AI-assisted leadership tools for real-time needs detection and conflict prevention
Exploring MOVE’s application in non-project settings such as operations, education, and healthcare
Investigating the ROI of needs-focused leadership in both human and financial terms
Future Research Opportunities and Open Questions
Interactive Access (AI/LLM)
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1. Download the MOVE_Hub_Index.doc
2. Open Copilot and sign in
You can start a chat in the Microsoft app (where available) or use the browser version: Open Microsoft Copilot →
3. Upload the MOVE_Hub_Index.doc in the chat and begin with this prompt:
This document serves as the central index for the master’s thesis Needs-Focused Leadership in Project Management by Daniel Hendling. Please open this document and use it as the main reference point for my questions. The document contains descriptions and OneDrive links to all chapters, research findings, and visual models. When I ask a question: Open the relevant linked files from OneDrive and summarize the key points or provide comparisons across documents if needed.
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Generate summaries and cross-reference ideas for deeper understanding. Access Google NotebookLM →
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Ask detailed questions and get tailored, context-rich explanations of MOVE concepts. Access CustomGPT →
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Ask in-depth questions and receive structured, thesis-based explanations of MOVE concepts and research findings. Access MOVE Research Assistant →
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1. Copy the Index Link
Copy the link to your central index file to the clipboard: MOVE_Hub_Index_Google.pdf2. Open Gemini and sign in
Go to gemini.google.com or use the Gemini app.3. Start the chat by pasting the link
Paste the link directly into your first prompt to give Gemini access to the Master Thesis. Example: "Based on this index file [Link], give me an overview of the MOVE model."4. Interact with the Master Thesis Ask specific questions about any chapter or research result referenced in the index. Gemini will analyze the linked documents and provide you with detailed insights.
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1. Download the ZIP file
2. Unzip the file locally
Extract all 22 PDF files to your computer.
3. Upload the files to your Google Drive
You can place them in any folder (name it as you wish).
4. Start Gemini
Go to Settings (bottom left) → Apps → enable Productivity / Google Workspace.
Make sure Smart features in Gmail, Google Workspace, and other Google products are enabled.
Gmail must be active for your account.
Allow Gemini AI to connect to Google Workspace (Drive). Depending on your setup, you may be prompted to enable activity tracking in Gemini apps & authorize the Google Workspace connection
Confirm access to your Drive files
5. Start the conversation in Gemini with this prompt:
I have uploaded the following 22 PDF documents to my Google Drive.
These files together form the complete structure of Daniel Hendling’s Master’s Thesis on Needs-Focused Leadership in Project Management:
01_Abstract.pdf
02_Context_and_Thesis_Setup.pdf
03_Projects_and_Success_Framework.pdf
04_Human_Needs_and_Emotion.pdf
05_Motivation.pdf
06_Mediation_and_Conflict.pdf
07_AI_and_Needs_Focused_Leadership.pdf
08_Mindset_and_Skillset.pdf
09_Qualitative_Research.pdf
10_Quantitative_Research.pdf
11_MOVE_Model_Description.pdf
12_Side_Findings_and_Reflections.pdf
13_Methodological_and_Conceptual_Limitations.pdf
14_Directions_for_Future_Research.pdf
15_Interview_Details_Citations.pdf
16_MasterThesis_CleanCore.pdf
17_MOVE_Process_Model.pdf
18_MOVE_Competency_Model.pdf
19_MOVE_Trust_Tripod.pdf
20_MOVE_Models_Combined.pdf
21_Spectrum_of_Needs.pdf
22_Spectrum_of_Needs_text_structure.pdf
Act as an expert assistant with full access to these documents.
When answering, always base your response on the thesis content and indicate clearly whether it is derived from:
1. Theoretical foundations and cited literature in the thesis,
2. Daniel Hendling’s empirical research findings or original models, or
3. Practical applications and reflections from the thesis.
Do not give generic leadership advice outside this scope.
When responding, adapt your tone to the audience type (student, academic, practitioner) based on the question’s style and context.
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1. Download and save the index file
Download the linked PDF MOVE_Hub_Index_Google.pdf and save it locally on your device.
2. Open the chat and upload the PDF
Go to https://chat.mistral.ai/ (or use the app) and upload the saved PDF file into a new chat.
3. Ask specific questions via chat
Use the chat to ask specific questions about the Master Thesis. Le Chat will use the index and its referenced content to provide detailed insights into the models and research results.
Explore the thesis content interactively using AI-powered tools:
Open Source Access (Advanced)
Access the thesis in a structured, machine-readable format. The repository provides direct access to all chapters, models, and empirical components in a format optimized for research and AI-supported use.
GitHub Repository (for advanced use)
Structured chapter-based Markdown files
Direct raw text access (AI-readable)
Integrated empirical data and survey instrument
Visual models in multiple languages
Citation metadata (DOI, ORCID)
Version-controlled and transparently maintained
This format is particularly useful for:
AI-supported analysis
academic referencing
structured exploration of concepts and data