New Populism and Perspectives on Contemporary Leadership Research and Practice

The rise of new populism, marked by a sharp division between “the people” and “the elite,” introduces significant challenges and opportunities for leadership in both research and practice. Cas Mudde’s definition highlights a societal split that deeply affects leadership across all sectors, demanding a delicate balance between bridging societal divides and avoiding alienation of stakeholders like staff, customers, and shareholders (Mudde and Kaltwasser, Populism: a very short introduction. New York, Oxford Academic, online edn. https://doi.org/10.1093/actrade/9780190234874.001.0001. Accessed 15 Dec 2023, 2017; Reeves et al., Growing apart: understanding and addressing the business ramifications of social polarization. Boston Consulting Group, April 12. https://www.bcg.com/publications/2021/understanding-business-ramifications-of-social-polarization. Accessed 17 Dec 2023, 2021). However, a review of recent leadership research reveals a gap between the theoretical focus on individual leader behaviors and idealized models, and the practical needs of navigating the complex, populist-driven landscape. This discrepancy suggests an urgent need for leadership studies to adapt, incorporating the realities of new populism to develop practices and theories that respond effectively to today’s social challenges and stakeholder expectations, thereby promoting a more inclusive and democratic approach to leadership.