Transcendent leadership: Strategic leadership in dynamic environments

Adopting a cross-level mixed effect model, this paper proposes transcendent leadership as a framework for the key responsibilities of strategic leaders in today's dynamic contexts. A transcendent leader is a strategic leader who leads within and amongst the levels of self, others, and organization. Leadership of self includes the responsibility of being self-aware and proactive in developing personal strengths. Leadership of others involves the mechanisms of interpersonal influence a leader has upon followers. Leadership of organization comprises the alignment of three interrelated areas: environment, strategy, and organization. Propositions are presented regarding the relationship between leadership of the various levels and firm performance.