Opinion by Karen Wouters, Professor leadership
Statements like “we need a strong leader” to explain votes for Trump or questions like “is the US ready for a female president?” continue to surprise me, but not entirely. Research shows that today’s leadership effectiveness no longer relies on the classic “strong” traits, yet society has clung for decades to a narrow leadership ideal: male, assertive, and dominant. This isn’t limited to the US, in Belgium, too, we see this pattern, as illustrated in the VRT program Hertoginnendal, where female politicians reveal they feel pressured to have all the answers, an impossible standard. As the world grows increasingly complex, with challenges like climate change and migration, the question remains: why do we still cling to this simplistic view of leadership?
In 1994, Paralleling Offermann et al. studied which traits Americans value in leaders. When repeated in 2018, the same traits surfaced: sensitivity, strength, dedication, charisma, intelligence, masculinity, attractiveness, and tyranny, with creativity as the only addition. Trump’s victory further highlights how little our expectations of leaders have evolved over the past five years. Despite a changing world, outdated leadership traits still dominate our perceptions, even as the complexity of global challenges demands a new approach.
Despite the changing landscape, outdated leadership traits like strength and dominance continue to shape our expectations, even as the world grows increasingly complex.
Complexity Calls for Collective Leadership
Complexity is not the same as complication. Complex issues—like climate change, migration, or labor shortages in healthcare and education—are hard to define, let alone solve. These problems require a different approach: one that embraces multiple perspectives, encourages experimentation, and fosters collaboration.
Research shows that introverted leaders are often better equipped to tackle complex problems than their extroverted counterparts. They tend to be more open to others’ input and create space for collective collaboration. This is essential because solving complex challenges requires collective leadership. Leaders who can unite diverse perspectives and co-create solutions are best positioned to address today’s pressing issues.
Yet, despite the need for collaboration and diversity, we continue to favor outdated leadership models centered on strength and dominance. This is not what we need now, but it’s what we keep choosing.
Leadership in the 21st century is not about hierarchy or heroism but about collaboration, diversity, and bringing together different voices to tackle complex challenges.
Why do we still choose an outdated leadership ideal?
In times of crisis or uncertainty, we seek clarity and direction—qualities often associated with strong, confident male leaders. We find comfort in the familiar, even when it isn’t the best choice. This instinct keeps us stuck in old patterns, failing to adapt to what’s truly needed.
We must recognize that future leadership qualities should not rely solely on strength. Leadership in the 21st century is about uniting diverse voices to address complex issues.
What can we do?
We need to develop an open and inclusive narrative about what leadership truly means. Leadership is not just about hierarchy or heroism but about collaboration, diversity, and embracing different perspectives. We must create space to genuinely connect, learn from one another, and find new insights and solutions—each contributing from our own leadership. Only by transforming our leadership models can we effectively address the challenges of tomorrow.
