Rethinking Leadership: A Call for Innovation in Business and Educational Management in the Era of the 5th Industrial Revolution

Abstract

This paper examines the imperative for innovative leadership approaches in business and educational management as society transitions into the 5th Industrial Revolution (5IR). Through critical analysis of current leadership paradigms and their inadequacies in addressing emerging challenges, this research argues that traditional hierarchical and control-oriented leadership models are increasingly obsolete. The 5IR's emphasis on human-machine collaboration, sustainable value creation, and purpose-driven innovation demands leadership frameworks characterized by creativity, digital fluency, emotional intelligence, and collaborative governance. Drawing from interdisciplinary literature and contemporary case studies, this paper proposes a comprehensive framework for leadership innovation, particularly relevant to Nigerian institutional contexts. The findings suggest that systematic recalibration of leadership development programs, policy environments, and organizational cultures is essential for institutional relevance and national competitiveness in the emerging 5IR landscape.