Cognitively Adaptive Leaders: Exploring the Cognitive and Cultural Dynamics of Adaptive Leaders

Could the way that managers mentally approach complex problems and then relate to others be the key that unlocks the shared leadership needed to adapt to fast-changing environments? The new paradigm documented through this book argues that a manager’s effectiveness comes from the interplay between their cognitive style and their behavioral type of leadership. The research contributes to the study of the behavioral complexity of leaders in three ways:

• It reinforces the value of investigating a manager’s cognitive style through the perception of their followers rather than just their own self-assessment.
• It reminds us that subordinates’ perception of their superiors may not be matched with the conventional understanding of organizational cultures.
• It highlights the fact that compared to a radical innovative cognitive orientation, an incremental adaptive orientation is not a sign of inefficiency but a requirement for adapting to the ‘new normal.’

This book will be useful to scholars and students of Organizational Leadership, especially those who are interested in studying the behavioral and cognitive complexities of leaders in light of organizational culture.

"Cognitively Adaptive Leaders offers a penetrating analysis of leadership at a time when humanity faces unprecedented challenges, including a global pandemic. Disruption and transformation are the 'new normal,' and leadership practices must change accordingly."
-Richard Slaughter, Ph.D.
Director, Foresight International

"In this pioneering work, Dr. Hejazi explores the range of adaptive behavior that leaders exhibit in our uncertain times. He lays out a three-tiered framework of leadership type, cognitive style, and organizational culture... A must-read for those involved in the study of Adaptive Leadership."
-Timothy Merritt, Ph.D.
Leadership Expert and Futurist Author

"Dr. Hejazi's new book helps the readers understand the alignment of cognitive and leadership styles amid the organization's culture. Knowing who you are and how you fit within the environment provides advantages for today's leaders."
-Bruce E. Winston, Ph.D.
Professor, Regent University School of Business & Leadership