Leadership Role Models Across Contexts: Identifying Common Similarities and Differences

Abstract

Although role models are widely acknowledged as important in leadership development, little is known about the defining traits of leader role models. This study aims to address this gap by developing a cross-organizational framework of characteristics that define role models in the field of observational leadership development. Drawing on a multiple case study design, three distinct types of organizational career trajectories were selected as cases for analysis: (1) careers rooted in management consultancies, (2) careers situated within corporate firms, and (3) careers involving a crossover from consulting to corporate settings. The primary focus is placed on management consultancies, as their unique setting creates an environment conductive to the observation of the salient attributes of leader role models. The findings are based on semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis. The paper concludes with a discussion of the results and future research directions. The study contributes to the extant literature on leadership development and role models, offering valuable practical and theoretical implications.