Looking back to look forward: Lessons for leadership development

From high profile scandals involving corporate, political, and religious leaders to systemic abuses of power and unethical practices that often form the backdrop of contemporary organizations; the lack of an efficacious profession of moral leadership is identified as one of the most fundamental problems in leadership among both academics and practitioners. Using the 2007-2008 global financial crisis (GFC) as a turning point, we analyzed 15 years of leadership development intervention literature published in peer reviewed journal before the GFC using servant leadership as a paradigm for holistic leadership development. Through this research, we sought to look back at what lessons can we learn from the past, so that we are able to better understand what changes are needed to move forward. The study revealed an imbalance in the emphasis of leadership development interventions, and extends the literature the study of destructive leadership and ethical leadership in answering the call for moral, authentic and ethical leaders. Theoretical and practical implications were also discussed.