A Little More Rigidity: Firming the Construct of Leader Flexibility

摘要

Scholars and practitioners have identified leader flexibility as a determinant of leader emergence and effectiveness. Yet the existing literature on leader flexibility describes it as a general capacity to respond well to situational requirements. Described as a general capacity, it is difficult for leaders to consider specific strategies to develop flexibility. By looking at flexibilities (e.g. cognitive, emotional, and interpersonal) available in other literatures, we can deepen our understanding of the multi-dimensionality of leader flexibility. The purpose of this article is to: (a) introduce various specific flexibilities found within the broader psychological literature, (b) integrate these with leader flexibility, (c) identify thematic patterns across the specific flexibilities, in order to (d) construct a general framework to better understand leader flexibility. The article contributes to the literature by offering a detailed and nuanced version of the flexibility construct as it applies to leadership. It provides specific types of flexibility for leaders to consider in their development.View full textDownload full textKeywordsleadership, leader flexibility, leadership development and changeRelated var addthis_config = { ui_cobrand: "Taylor & Francis Online", services_compact: "citeulike,netvibes,twitter,technorati,delicious,linkedin,facebook,stumbleupon,digg,google,more", pubid: "ra-4dff56cd6bb1830b" }; Add to shortlist Link Permalink http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14697011003795636