It is indisputable that leaders have substantial impact on individuals and organizations. Among other things, they are the prime target of praise and blame for organizational outcomes. They are also organization’s face towards the internal (e.g., employees) and external (e.g., communities) environments. Defining what makes a successful or effective leader, however, is challenging and can be controversial. Scientifically, leadership is a conceptually complex construct as it touches upon various organizational, social and personal processes. Practically, it is paradoxical because it can be the problem and the solution for the challenges organizations face.

Developments in societies, including increased digitalization and demographic diversity, the changing nature of work (e.g., precarious work) and workers (e.g., the rise of the creative class), and the emergence of new forms of organizing work, such as networks and contingent teams, have all added to the complexity of studying leadership and contributed to the challenges faced by today’s organizational leaders.

The aim of this course is to give the participants an overview of the various scientific perspectives used for studying leadership, how leaders influence individual and organizational performance, and current developments and trends in leadership as a practice and a field of scientific research.