Current research on global leadership covers international “business” leadership (the application of leadership constructs and theories to the international business environment), geocentric (equating business needs to individual traits and behaviors), and ethnocentric leadership (only considering specific culture-based qualities rather than examining global characteristics). Using large multinational corporations, trade blocs, regional associations, and other international organizations, private companies are leading the progress and implementation of new leadership forms.
The data/private company integration results are published, while the military and many prevailing political entities have been working under leadership models since the end of the last century. As private companies accumulate resources and create influence, more countries will demand a more actively directive, corporately influenced leadership. In the political sphere, these new developments may create governance limits for currently elected, politically oriented leaders that may have long-term impacts. Considering this context, some essential future scenarios of international leadership emerge.
In response, we argue that the current geocentric forms of leadership should be broadened to a global process as long as these new forms satisfy the leadership requirements of the 21st century. Moreover, the development of responsible leadership should encourage a shift from a concern with personal power and financial earnings to a dedication to influence and guide future dynamics within a socially acceptable, ethical, and equitable framework.
Also, a long-term orientation should replace the concern with instant solutions and short-term profits. The control-seeking aspect of current leadership should be replaced by trust in freely developed team and network processes. An individual-oriented leadership should change to one that equally addresses corporate, social, and political issues.
The coming decade and beyond will undoubtedly bring significant changes in the contexts, goals, tools, types, and leadership models. Clarifying these changes will help identify future research and theory development needs. Some authorities have analyzed anticipated future trends or have forecasted global changes. However, none of these studies have emphasized leadership. Only recently have studies come to undertake such tasks. For instance, the area of global leadership has been addressed. As the trade volume between countries increases, it becomes more apparent that current global leadership models do not necessarily satisfy all leadership requirements.