LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT FOR THE DIGITAL AGE
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.56238/ERR01v10n4-024Keywords:
Digital Leadership, Organizational Transformation, Management Competencies, SustainabilityAbstract
Digital transformation has profoundly reconfigured management approaches and leadership models, posing unprecedented challenges to organizations in the 21st century. This article critically analyzes leadership development for the digital age, examining the evolution of theoretical leadership models, emerging competencies, organizational and strategic challenges, and the connection between innovation and sustainability. Based on a systematic literature review of national and international databases, studies published between 2018 and 2025 were selected, supplemented by reference institutional reports. The results indicate that digital leadership does not break with previous paradigms, but rather redefines them, integrating transformational and contingent elements in contexts mediated by digital technologies. It was found that competencies such as adaptability, socio-emotional intelligence, data-driven strategic vision, and ethical sensitivity are central to the effectiveness of digital leaders. Challenges related to cultural resistance, hybrid team management, and the ethical dilemmas of using data and automation were also identified. The conclusion is that digital leadership should be understood as a socio-technical and strategic practice capable of promoting continuous innovation and organizational sustainability, constituting a key element for competitiveness and institutional legitimacy in highly complex environments.
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