Charting the Landscape of Leadership and Leadership Development

The study of leadership and leadership development remains one of the most dynamic yet contested fields of inquiry, shaped by its complexity, multidimensionality, and enduring relevance. Despite decades of scholarship, fundamental questions persist about how leadership should be defined, contextualised, and developed across diverse organisational, cultural, and societal settings. This introductory chapter responds to these challenges by mapping the evolving state of the field, critically examining established and emerging perspectives, and outlining a forward-looking research agenda. It situates this volume within the wider Routledge Studies in Leadership and Leadership Development series, highlighting how each preceding contribution has expanded scholarly and practical debates. It introduces the structure of the book, which comprises 12 chapters that collectively explore theoretical foundations, contemporary critiques, interdisciplinary perspectives, and practice-oriented insights. Methodological considerations are given particular attention, with a focus on scoping, inclusion, and exclusion criteria that inform systematic literature reviews, as well as the approaches that can advance leadership inquiry. Ultimately, this chapter positions the volume as both a comprehensive review and a call to action, encouraging scholars, students, and practitioners to rethink assumptions, embrace methodological diversity, and push the boundaries of leadership and leadership development research.