African Leadership in the Diaspora: Diffusion, Infusion, Synergy, and Challenges

Abstract

The concept of leadership has a long history but gained vogue in Africa with the emergence of democracy and end of colonialism. Leadership, however, cannot be understood independent of context and so there have been questions of what African leadership is, African leadership in the diaspora, African leadership styles, and the future of Africa. The combination of past linkages, traditions, culture, history, and indigenous habits creates unique leadership styles that are distinctly African. Traditional leadership ontologies must acknowledge how leadership has evolved in ways distinct to the African experience. Collective and practiced ontologies of leadership must attend to the ways dialogic exchange, relationship, and socio-material meaning take on a unique character when viewed through the lens of African culture and context. For Africans living outside of the continent (the diaspora), the expression and practice of leadership is embroiled with many issues. Studies on African leadership identify some features of African leadership culture and how those features play out on the identity, style, and development of African leaders exploring leadership as a vehicle for development in Africa. Using systematic review of the literature, the paper explores African leadership in the diaspora through dominant collective and practice leadership ontologies and cultural hybridity.