Assuring corporate leadership for the future

Abstract

Corporate leadership development can no longer simply rely on planning the replacement of existing leaders. The function of leadership is moving from a transactional to a transitional mode and leaders will increasingly work to inspire knowledge era workers within a constantly changing organisation to embrace an unknown future. In order to meet this leadership development challenge, this article proposes a three‐track model of leadership development based on theory and practice. It is aimed not at individual leaders, but at the total leadership function. The three tracks are: a business track where individuals study the total enterprise and its business environment; a leadership track which teaches behaviourally‐based skills to influence individuals, teams and the total organisation; and a personal track where the individuals understand themselves and how to best manage their personal resources.