Leadership, Global Business, and Digitally Connected Environments

Abstract

To adopt a successful global business perspective, leaders must continually enhance their understanding of the social, political, technological, and environmental forces that are shaping our existence, and concurrently, they must develop personal and organizational capabilities to co-evolve with the dynamic complexity of this emerging world. To this end, chapter ten builds on the dynamic leadership models and the complexities impacting leadership practice described in previous chapters. The following sections then significantly expand on this research. Initially the broad underlying spectrum of global leadership-related issues is reviewed; then the current and emerging dynamic drivers of global business are detailed; next, the nature of leadership in connected (networked) environments is explored; finally, the critical characteristics of leadership in digitally connected environments are examined. In addressing these challenges the relevance of the Leadership Learning Process described in chapter two is highlighted. An assessment instrument is included to assist in assessing readiness to lead in digitally-connected environments.