Abstract

This paper summarizes leadership theories and critically analyzes the different viewpoints on leadership theory in the real corporate world. The main purpose of the study is to examine leadership theories from a critical perspective in a practical context. The systematization of the literature sources and study approaches for solving the problem on a practical perspective toward leadership theories that indicate leadership theories are emerging research topics in the dynamic environment. The relevance of this critical perspective on leadership theories is redesign leadership style based on the current business environment. Investigation of the leadership theories from a critical perspective is conducted in the following logical sequence, such as the introduction, literature review, methodological tools of the research, analysis of each leadership theory, results, discussion, and conclusion of the study. The paper presents the outcome of an empirical analysis on a critical perspective of leadership theories, which showed that leadership theories have not yet been combined. The research empirically confirms that leadership theories prove that the outcome of the study can be a critical tool for future researchers, industry practitioners and other related stakeholders to redesign the leadership style to suit the competitive business environment. The result of the research can be useful to provide significant implications and insights into the leadership theories. A critical analysis of those theories shall enlighten the literature review of leadership theories and redesign leadership style to create a new set of leadership theories since no universal leadership style is accepted in the world. Finally, the leadership style has shifted to another dimension in emotional intelligence due to COVID-19, the global pandemic, creating a new set of attributable skills such as good listening skills, resilience, collaboration, and empathy. COVID-19 has developed a unique leadership style called resilient style.

Keywords: Behavioral Theory, Contingency Theory, Leadership, Path-Goal Theory, Trait Theory.

JEL Classification: M10, M12.

Cite as: Sivaruban, S. (2021). A Critical Perspective of Leadership Theories. Business Ethics and Leadership, 5(1), 57-65. https://doi.org/10.21272/bel.5(1).57-65.2021

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License

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