The future of leadership research

The purpose of this paper is to identify the problems confronting the discipline and outline possible directions for future leadership studies. The methodology is analytical and discursive. Two primary themes are addressed: (1) the problematics of leadership research and (2) the possibilities for future leadership study. The data base included an eclectic sample of the current leadership literature. Our specific conclusions are that (1) we do not understand leadership fully (2) our current research methods are inadequate (3) our epistemology is outdated (4) opportunity for real progress is limitless (5) the discipline requires new topics, methods, epistemologies, paradigms, theories and research strategies. Overall, the paper concludes that significant progress in leadership research is contingent upon resolving existing problematics. The need for innovative developments is critical and the challenge to make headway is in the hands of research practitioners.