Impression management and ancient Ceylonese rulers

Abstract

This study investigated how the Ceylonese kings, who ruled the South Asian island nation until the start of colonial occupation in the late sixteenth century, used stone inscriptions as impression management techniques to present a favourable impression of themselves to their subjects. The sample comprises 383 stone inscriptions. The findings of this article suggest that the impression management strategies used by Ceylonese kings to communicate with their subjects are consistent with those used by more modern charismatic leaders. However, the way strategies were implemented differed. This study contributes to the literature on the motivations and impression management techniques used by charismatic leaders and it adds to the limited knowledge on ancient Sri Lanka. Examining how charismatic leaders in the form of Ceylonese kings used inscriptions may provide insights into how modern-day chief executive officers or partners of major accounting practices use narrative components of annual reports and other forms of corporate communications to portray their leadership.