The future is relational: management development for today and tomorrow

Abstract

Purpose

The authors of this study aim to test a possible turn toward relational, as opposed to agentic, management development program (MDP) content.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors performed a content analysis of the literature and qualitative interviews of management coaches/consultants from South Africa and the USA.

Findings

In both studies, the authors found more relational than agentic content comprising MDP content. Interviews revealed a predominance of relational strategies and that agentic and relational skills are often interwoven in development efforts.

Practical implications

This work may guide management coaches and consultants to offer clients management development (MD) with a greater focus on relational skills.

Originality/value

Future studies should build on our findings to explore whether leadership may now require more relational as opposed to agentic skills.

Citation

Hoobler, J.M. and Dowdeswell, K. (2023), "The future is relational: management development for today and tomorrow", Journal of Management Development, Vol. 42 No. 3, pp. 253-274. https://doi.org/10.1108/JMD-11-2022-0265