The ZP Framework and Effective Leadership Behaviour in Problematic, Non-Problematic and Issue-Ridden Situations

Abstract

A review of leadership literature reveals three patterns. First, all leadership theories address problematic situations. Second, leadership theories address problems at increasingly complex levels of social systems from individual to relationships to groups to organizations and finally societies. Third, leadership theories imply that an effective leader identifies, flexibly prioritizes and acts accordingly on task and emotional problems confronting the social system to achieve goals. This paper reframes the concept of ‘situation’ using the ZerothP (ZP) framework to integrate the above three patterns. The ZP framework provides a way to sort situations into four different types of problematic and non-problematic situations. It is proposed that each type of situation requires different types of leader behaviours. The proposed appropriate combinations are: Celebratory behaviour in a non-problematic situation when what is happening is what should be happening; Boundary-clarifying behaviour, in a non-problematic situation where nothing is happening that should not be happening; Rebellious behaviour when what is happening should not be happening; and Visionary/Innovative behaviour when the leader envisions a better world or situation that does not yet exist, but should exist. Application of the framework is illustrated at the individual and group levels, and research avenues are pointed out.