The changed leadership landscape: what matters today

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present challenges in leadership performance today, as well as leadership styles that have potential, given the contemporary shifts in performance climate. Design/methodology/approach – This paper is based on empirical research, obtained through methodological triangulation, partly through critical literature review, and partly through the author’s ongoing leadership studies during the past ten years, to be subdivided in three phenomenological studies, and 72 structured leadership interviews. Findings – There is a multitude of factors that keep changing the leadership landscape, and there is a series of leadership skills that suffice well given the parameters of today’s work environments. Nine of these leadership styles are presented, including their main characteristics and contemporary usefulness. Research limitations/implications – The studies reviewed, although in-depth, applied to a limited set of options. Because leadership is such a broad and dynamic topic, neither literature review nor qualitative studies and interview series provide an entirely comprehensive overview, especially when conducted in one part of the world. Practical implications – Leaders may reconsider the skills required for themselves and their workforce to guarantee successful performance in an increasingly interconnected world. Leaders may engage in reflection and work toward stronger emphasis and development of skills in which they consider themselves weak. Leaders may examine their work environment and consider how to apply the factors that could facilitate one or more of the presented leadership styles in their organization. Originality/value – The leadership styles presented are multi-applicable and are mainly based on inter-human respect, so leaders may reflect and consider the style they feel most attracted to.

Leadership Styles Dimensions and Organizational Commitment Nexus: Evidence from a Public Sector in Nigeria

“…The leader's role extends beyond personal abilities and includes creating and sustaining balance in the organization through employees' empowerment and satisfaction (Bambale, Girei, & Barwa, 2017). An alternative view is that the role of the leader is to influence and engage persons in attaining the organization's goals in a complex business environment (Marques, 2015). Effective leaders, according to Taylor, Cornelius, & Colvin (2014), are individuals who secure the relevant knowledge and skills to assess and respond appropriately to issues that affect the operations of their organizations.…”

Lessons from Bandura’s Bobo Doll Experiments: Leadership’s Deliberate Indifference Exacerbates Workplace Bullying in Higher Education

“…Such action cultivates a healthy workplace which is emotionally and psychologically stable for all employees. An engaged and empathic leader who can anticipate the target's anguish is perhaps more motivated to halt the abuse (Marques, 2015;Mayer & Surtee, 2015).…”

Re-imagining the MBA: an arts-based approach

“…Marques (2015) points out that the major financial and ethical business crises which occurred in the first decade of the twenty-first century has challenged existing models of business education, 'leading to an enhanced call for more sustainable business models, and increased focus on a triple bottom line, with people, planet, and profit as equally important parts' (p.1312). In addition, in an environment which is fast changing and which throws up new and different problems, 'The concept of stability has changed from remaining the same for a long time into flexibly and undauntedly riding the tides of today's corporate sea' (Marques, 2015(Marques, , p. 1311. The constantly varying context, together with the requirement for more accountable business practices, has implications for the kind of leadership qualities which are required for successful performance -qualities that include collaborative skills and innovative thinking so that problems with little or no familiar structure can be addressed effectively.…”