Ensuring the Best Person Steps Up to Lead

Abstract Due to the increasing complexity of their external contexts, organizations now face an ever-expanding array of unexpected critical events to which they must adapt. The need for near-constant adaptation requires leadership throughout every level of an organization; however, many organizations unfortunately hamper their own leadership competency by focusing leadership identity and development efforts only on those individuals holding formal leadership positions. In this chapter, the authors explore three central problems concerning this limited conceptualization of leader identity and development, and suggest ways forward for organizations as they develop leadership capable of adapting to the changes ahead.