LEADERSHIP AND STRATEGY: THE ROLE OF TOP MANAGERS IN SHAPING THE COMPANY'S FUTURE

Abstract

The article presents an in-depth scientific examination of the integrative function of top management, implemented as strategic leadership, which assumes key responsibility for defining and shaping the company’s future development trajectories amidst increasing external uncertainty. The authors consistently argue that the ultimate effectiveness of the formulated strategy relies less on the perfection of the plan itself and more on the existence of advanced leadership competencies within the management, which enable the consistent communication of strategic vision within the team, the construction of a flexible and adaptive organisational structure, and the purposeful cultivation of a corporate culture open to innovation. Within the applied systemic approach, not only were the most relevant competencies required of a modern top leader identified and subjected to comprehensive analysis, but specific organisational mechanisms ensuring the practical integration of strategic goals and leadership potential were also detailed. It should be emphasised that the practical and theoretical value of the conducted study lies in its significant contribution to the development of the conceptual foundations of strategic leadership theory, as well as in providing effective guidelines for the further enhancement of corporate governance systems and management development programmes in contemporary organisations.