Leadership of uncertainty

The time we are living in has been described as ‘an age of uncertainty’ ( Barnett 2007: 136). While it has always been impossible to predict the future, it seems that the world is becoming more uncertain and this relates both to the bigger picture of issues with climate, natural resources and economies and more local factors such as roles, working practices and questions about where authority lies in a particular context. Our focus in this chapter is on leadership but who are the leaders today, when individuals can use the internet to raise issues, challenge accepted practice, bring people together to act and bring about change? Additionally, those designated as leaders are being challenged by media and individuals and groups as never before.