Moving Towards a Global Perspective on Leadership

This chapter challenges the dominance of Western-centric leadership paradigms and calls for a broader, more inclusive global perspective on leadership. Tracing the evolution of leadership thought from the Great Man Theories to contemporary models such as emotional intelligence and transformational leadership, the chapter highlights the limitations of frameworks that have emerged predominantly from Western business schools. It argues that while these models have shaped leadership education and corporate practice, they represent only a fraction of the diverse ways leadership is understood and enacted globally. The increasing complexity of a multipolar world necessitates an exploration of leadership traditions from Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Indigenous societies. By integrating these perspectives, business schools and organisations can foster a more nuanced and contextually relevant approach to leadership development. This chapter aims to broaden leadership discourse, advocating for models that reflect the diverse cultural, historical and social realities of a globally connected world.