Transforming leadership for success and sustainability: Leading today's industries into the future

Abstract

Purpose

Reviews the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoints practical implications from cutting‐edge research and case studies.

Design/methodology/approach

This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context.

Findings

Management and leadership are often used as synonyms, but to do so demonstrates a lack of understanding about the fundamental differences between the two terms. While managers may exhibit leadership, and leadership must engage with management to make sustainable change, the two concepts are substantially different. Management often implies a paternalistic relationship between those doing the managing and those being managed. Management works well if incremental change is required such as increasing production or making existing systems more efficient. Leadership, however, is required whenever transformative change is needed. Transformative change requires vision and creativity, the ability to see beyond the present to a future that has not yet been dreamed of.

Practical implications

Provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world's leading organizations.

Originality/value

Provides an easily accessible summary of relevant business concepts and presents them in a fresh way.

Citation

(2011), "Transforming leadership for success and sustainability: Leading today's industries into the future", Strategic Direction, Vol. 27 No. 3, pp. 19-21. https://doi.org/10.1108/02580541111109598