Understanding Culture-based Diversity Through the Development of a Skills-based Model of Leadership

This chapter aims to explore the way in which traditional “African management values” (Ubuntu) should be integrated into the organisation. This should be done in such a way as to provide opportunity for leadership to dismantle the past organisational culture, promote the development of a new, more inclusive culture, and in the final instance, create a set of leadership skills and competencies that enable globalisation processes. Part of the discussion focuses on the historical development of leadership as a concept, dealing with the distinct difficulties faced by South African managers and leaders alike, due to the complexity of a multicultural environment. It provides clarity on, and an explanation for the way in which “Western” notions of leadership are found within “African management”, and how the two styles can interact to bring effectiveness and efficiency to the organisation. The chapter’s aim is also to show the significance of these values in traditional Western concepts of leadership, including how Ubuntu can be used in the “real world” of management.