A Comprehensive Literature Review of Global Leadership Styles: Assessing Universality and Impact on Workforce Motivation

Abstract

In the contemporary landscape of global business, the dynamics of leadership within multicultural organizations have become increasingly complex. The emergence of globalization has brought new workplace realities that require a better understanding of how to lead and motivate groups to maximize the quality of multicultural group work. While the concept of leadership is inherently universal, transcending borders, and epochs, the diversity of cultures and settings prompts exploration into distinct leadership traits and approaches. This prompts the fundamental question of whether leadership styles possess universal applicability and how the leadership styles can serve as motivating factors in multicultural settings. The study delves into an extensive literature to unravel the intricacies of leadership embedded in various models. It explores the global, cultural, and social contexts within different leadership models considering the global, cultural, behavioral, and contextual dimensions, questioning the extent to which universal leadership principles can be applied in a global context. The interplay of diverse cultures and settings requires a thoughtful consideration of unique leadership approaches. By examining the complexity of leadership, the study contributes to the ongoing discourse on the adaptability and universality of leadership principles in multicultural organizations, emphasizing that leadership is not merely a conceptual framework but a lived reality.