The leadership skills strataplex: Leadership skill requirements across organizational levels

Abstract

Leadership scholars have called for additional research on leadership skill requirements and how those requirements vary by organizational level. In this study, leadership skill requirements are conceptualized as being layered (strata) and segmented (plex), and are thus described using a strataplex. Based on previous conceptualizations, this study proposes a model made up of four categories of leadership skill requirements: Cognitive skills, Interpersonal skills, Business skills, and Strategic skills. The model is then tested in a sample of approximately 1000 junior, midlevel, and senior managers, comprising a full career track in the organization. Findings support the “plex” element of the model through the emergence of four leadership skill requirement categories. Findings also support the “strata” portion of the model in that different categories of leadership skill requirements emerge at different organizational levels, and that jobs at higher levels of the organization require higher levels of all leadership skills. In addition, although certain Cognitive skill requirements are important across organizational levels, certain Strategic skill requirements only fully emerge at the highest levels in the organization. Thus a strataplex proved to be a valuable tool for conceptualizing leadership skill requirements across organizational levels.