Abstract
This is Part 1 of a 2-part article on the new and emerging characteristics and elements of leadership for changing, fast-paced organizations. As we leave the 20th century workplace and are increasingly driven by innovation and technological transformation, new roles are demanded from everyone. Leadership expression now calls for a different emphasis and skill set from those that predominated in the past century. The first article focuses on the context of leadership affecting what leaders do and how they must now behave. Part 2 will center on the activities of leadership and the new learning and skill set development that will increasingly be required of leaders in a fundamentally altered work environment.