The future is relational: management development for today and tomorrow
Journal of Management Development
ISSN: 0262-1711
Article publication date: 31 May 2023
Issue publication date: 2 June 2023
Abstract
Purpose
The authors of this study aim to test a possible turn toward relational, as opposed to agentic, management development program (MDP) content.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors performed a content analysis of the literature and qualitative interviews of management coaches/consultants from South Africa and the USA.
Findings
In both studies, the authors found more relational than agentic content comprising MDP content. Interviews revealed a predominance of relational strategies and that agentic and relational skills are often interwoven in development efforts.
Practical implications
This work may guide management coaches and consultants to offer clients management development (MD) with a greater focus on relational skills.
Originality/value
Future studies should build on our findings to explore whether leadership may now require more relational as opposed to agentic skills.
Keywords
Citation
Hoobler, J.M. and Dowdeswell, K. (2023), "The future is relational: management development for today and tomorrow", Journal of Management Development, Vol. 42 No. 3, pp. 253-274. https://doi.org/10.1108/JMD-11-2022-0265
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2023, Emerald Publishing Limited