Leading lean transformations: towards a 3D view of lean leadership

This chapter offers a comprehensive overview and categorisation of the various theories underlying effectively leading lean transformations across organisational levels. In particular, the author distinguishes description, dependence, and development focused lean leadership theories, which are in fact strongly grounded in the general organisational behaviour literature. Driven by key developments in the field – including organisational agility, green transformation, digital transformation, and remote working – a research agenda is drafted that is meant to give rise to the next decade of research regarding the effective leadership of major organisational transformations. Future studies are invited to further develop a true 3D view of lean leadership. A deeper understanding of the three theoretical foci is needed, which calls for more creative, qualitative field research methods to answer societally relevant questions.