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

Abstract

PurposeThis 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/approachThe 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.FindingsThe 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/valueToday'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.