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.