Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2004. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study proves that South African organisations, listed in "Best Organisation to Work For", correlates to high-energy organisations. By implication, these South African leaders acknowledge and implement best practice in their organisations. Three case studies, Absa, SAB and Edcon, listed in "Best Organisation to Work For", were considered in determining whether they meet the characteristics of high-energy organisations. Having determined the correlation, the study meets the objectives set. One objective includes determining any "gap" between high-energy organisations from previous research and South African organisations listed "Best Organisation to Work For". The other objective, namely determining whether the present leadership behaviour of the leaders in the South African case studies considered, correlate to the required behaviour of leaders facilitating a high-energy organisation. As mentioned previously, the study correlates to high-energy organisations. Specifically, leaders are committed to the strategy of developing their intangible assets, namely people. The resulting benefits include an efficient organisation, satisfying the needs of employees, customers and stakeholders. This in turn facilitates delivering the right quantity at the right time, while creating a competitive organisation regarding "Best Organisation to Work for". From the above, it is of cardinal importance that a leader possesses and utilise certain behaviours so as to facilitate a high-energy organisation. This will give an organisation its sustainable competitive advantage. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie ondersoek bewys dat Suid Afrikaanse organisasies wat gelys is in die "Best Organisation to Work For" saamgaan met hoë-energie organisasies. Sy implikasie erken hierdie Suid Afrikaanse leiers "beste praktyke" en implementeer hulle dit dan ook in hulle organisasies. Drie organisasies gelys in "Best Organisation to Work For", naamlik Absa, SAB en Edcon was oorweeg om te bepaal of hulle die eienskappe beskik van hoë energie organisasies. Met die bepaling van die korrelasie is daar vasgestel dat die studie aan die doelwitte beantwoord. Een doelwit behels die bepaling van die "gaping" tussen hoë energie organisasies vanuit vorige navorsing en Suid Afrikaanse orginisasies wat gelys was as "Best Organisation to Work For". Die ander doelwit, naamlik, om te bepaal of die huidige leierskap gedrag van die leiers in die Suid Afrikaanse gevalle studies met die vereiste gedrag in hoë energie situasies korrelleer. Soos voorheen genoem, korrolleer die ondersoek met hoë energie orginisasies kenmerkend van hierdie leiers dat hulle verbind is tot 'n strategie vir die ontwikkeling van hul ontasbare bates, naamlik mense. Die gevolglike voordele sluit in 'n doeltreffende organisasie, bevrediging van personeel, kliente en belanghebbers se behoeftes. Hierdie fasiliteer die lewering van die regte hoeveelheid op die regte tyd moontlik, terwyl dit 'n kompeterende orginisasie skep met betrekking tot "Best Organisation to Work For". Vanuit boegenoemde, is dit duidelik dat dit van kardinale belang is dat 'n leier oor spesefieke eienskappe beskik en dit gebruik om daardeur 'n hoë energie organisasies moontlik te maak. Hierdie sal 'n organisasie 'n houbare kompeterende voordeel gee.