Expert Viewpoint – Character, Company and Context: A Practical Framework for Leaders Under Pressure

Ruth Turner
Jonathan Gosling

Abstract

Leadership as practised by individuals, through collective effort and as a social accomplishment is affected by the personal character of the principal actor(s), the company they keep, and responses to more and less controllable aspects of context. These factors (character, company and context) become especially salient during crises. We develop and illustrate this heuristic by reflecting on the lived leadership experience of the first author. We conclude with a discussion of the applicability and limitations of the heuristic, especially where the legitimacy and responsibilities of leaders are highly contested. We thereby address three practical questions: (a) what leaders can and should do to form, strengthen and sustain the contributions of others to their leadership practice, (b) how subalterns, deputies or counsellors can assist a leader in this, and (c) how to develop the readiness and ability of leaders, subalterns, etc to work in this way. 

Keywords: Leadership, Leadership Training, Crisis, Responsible Leadership

Volume 14, Issue 1
June 30, 2023
Pages: 19-42

DOI: http://doi.org/10.4038/cbj.v14i1.142

Suggested citation:

Turner, R. & Gosling, J. (2023). Expert viewpoint: Character, company and context: A practical framework for leaders under pressure. Colombo Business Journal, 14(1), 19-42. http://doi.org/10.4038/cbj.v14i1.142

Ruth Turner
Forward Institute [Responsible Leadership Foundation], United Kingdom

Jonathan Gosling
Business School, University of Exeter, United Kingdom
Gosling@exeter.ac.uk