Introduction: The State of Global Leadership Research

Since the 1990s it has become almost a rite for global leadership scholars to begin by citing the latest studies documenting the critical importance of global leadership and the dearth of global leaders. Unfortunately, the need to do so has not changed. According to the World Economic Forum’s 2013 “Global Agenda Outlook,” which listed the world’s 10 most urgent issues, the global leadership vacuum “remains the biggest challenge of all for 2013 and beyond” (WEF, 2013, p. 6). In a recent global study by McKinsey (2012), global leadership was identified more than any other option as a key factor for global success. In an ever more complex and integrated world in flux characterized by “cascading unanticipated consequences,” the calls for effective global leaders are not likely to diminish. It is encouraging that a growing number of people and organizations perceive the need.