The future of leadership: where do we go from here?

Abstract

Purpose -This research paper seeks to identify that leadership is changing and will change even more in the next five years according to a recent study by the Center for Creative Leadership (CCL). This change is due to the increase in complex challenges that leaders face. Such challenges test the limits of an organization's current strategies and reveal the shortcomings of leadership. This article looks at ways leadership is shifting, the driving force of complexity, and the skills leaders need to be effective in the future.Design/methodology/approach -The study surveyed more than 350 mid-to upper-level managers across the globe to explore the current and future state of leadership. Findings show 84 percent of surveyed participants believe that the definition of effective leadership has changed in the last five years. And more than 60 percent agree that leaders face challenges beyond their individual capabilities.Findings -The four trends that are driving this shift in leadership are globalization, rise of complex challenges, a world of interruption, and leadership for longevity. Leaders in the future will need new skill sets, greater collaboration skills, organizational architect ability, more flexible style, to be open and adaptable to new ideas, and be able to find examples of positive disobedience.Originality/value -Today's leaders must be prepared for the future as globalization intensifies the complexity in an already complex world. With globalization and complexity come a greater temptation of interruption and higher levels of stress. With this increased stress, leaders must create a foundation of health to ensure that they have the energy for the challenging times ahead.

Leader Ethical Decision-Making in Organizations: Strategies for Sensemaking

“…For example, factors such as globalization, technology, legislation, workforce diversity, decentralization, increased knowledge workers, and need for rapid changes and adaptability all contribute to the increased complexities and ambiguities associated with today's work environment (Gomez-Mejia et al 2010;Yukl 2010). In fact, the Center for Creative Leadership (CCL) recognized that this increasingly complex and dynamic environment has posed many challenges for leaders because they are at the center of these complexities, tasked with managing transitional projects, partnerships, and individuals (Martin 2007). The extreme demands placed on leaders and the skills required for leading in complex social environments have been well described in the complexity theory (Marion 1999;Marion andUhl-Bien 2001, Mathews et al 1999;Wheatley 1992).…”

Leadership for knowledge organizations

“…This is particularly relevant when it is becoming apparent that leadership models being practiced currently do not produce sustainable results, and impede the emergence of creativity and innovation in knowledge organizations. Rank et al, 2009;Martin, 2007;Mintzberg, 2008;Mumford et al, 2002, Mumford & Licuanan, 2004Pearce, 2004;Pearce & Manz, 2005;Pearce & Sims, 2000 …”

“…In reaction, the firms devise leadership practice to retain their human assets (Mumford & Licuanan, 2004) and to get from them more than expected (Keller, 1992). This results in a shift in power whereby workers exercise an upward influence on the leadership relationship (Martin, 2007;Mumford & Licuanan, 2004;Pearce, 2004;Pearce & Manz, 2005;Pearce & Sims, 2000Rank et al, 2009). Ergo, knowledge workers cannot be led the way managers lead other workers in organizations (Mintzberg, 2008) and forms our first proposition.…”

The Demands and Infl uence of Leadership on Educational Changes

“…Job stress is one of the work situations that increasing due to high demands (Martin 2007). This condition can cause health problems, decreased performance and depression.…”

“…Implementation of changes and transformation in the education system made a signifi cant impact on the relationship between leadership effectiveness with educational institutions (Cheah 2008 (Cairnes 2012). Field leadership increasingly important and challenging than ever before (Coates et al 2012;Martin 2007;Hernez-Broome & Hughes 2004). Therefore, leaders need to face the changes and challenges with a different leadership style than ever before.…”