Design Thinking in Contemporary Political Leadership: Lessons Learned from Angela Merkel

Abstract

Design leadership, a conceptual component in design theory, provides a useful template for leaders in an ever-changing world. Design leadership has gained importance in global leadership and decision-making processes in contemporary politics.This chapter focuses on the life and work of the famous German political leader, Angela Merkel, who has become one of the most influential, global, woman leaders in world history. A psychobiographical approach to Merkel’s life and leadership is taken to explore design leadership. The findings will provide insight into successful global governance in terms of design leadership. This chapter provides an example of future-oriented design leadership by using a single case study approach with a purposeful sampling process within a qualitative hermeneutical and interpretative research paradigm. Findings will provide applied insights into design leadership; recommendations will include guidelines for future research and the presentation of best practices.KeywordsDesign thinkingDesign leadershipPsychobiographyWoman leadersInnovation