The importance of balance in leadership development: Lessons from a study of railways in Australia

摘要

Purpose – Describes research on the development of leaders in Australian rail organizations. nnDesign/methodology/approach – Details five areas where the “complementarity” contained in the Chinese yin and yang philosophy could help to restore balance in modern leadership. nnFindings – Highlights the importance of balancing: principles and practices; technical and people skills; hard and soft skills; formal and informal learning; and self and others. nnPractical implications – Advances the view that these five balances are relevant the world over; one aspect of leadership and management cannot live without the other, yet each aspect lives within the other. nnSocial implications – Demonstrates a way forward for management development at a time when the need for leadership development, capability building and talent management have reached dangerously low levels across the world and the position will deteriorate as baby-boomers retire and leave behind a leadership “black hole”. nnOriginality/value – Postulates that one aspect of leadership and management cannot live without the other, yet each aspect lives within the other