Leadership in a VUCA context: Some foundational considerations

Abstract

While a diverse range of literature offers ideas of potential value for leadership in the context of volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity (VUCA), a model of leadership designed specifically to address such a context is lacking. Informed by a pre-existing framework for building context-sensitive models of leadership, this article explores the characteristics of VUCA conditions and draws out some foundational considerations this implies for leadership. The analysis suggests a range of leader behaviours, attributes and values that seem particularly salient to leading in a VUCA context, as well as discussing the overarching purpose of VUCA leadership. In sum, the article offers an analysis that identifies some foundational considerations of relevance to how leadership can be ethically and effectively enacted in a VUCA context.