Humanitarian leadership: learning from the past and directions for the future

Published on September 26, 2024
Graphic showing 3 human like figures in a central circle with concentric lines and circles surrounding it on a dark green/blue background

Many of the qualities, attributes and skills possessed by effective humanitarian and development leaders are not unique to the sector. The operational context in which they are applied, however, is unique, and creates a very particular set of issues.

Commissioned for Tandem, ODI’s global executive leadership programme, this paper reflects on how humanitarian leadership has been understood over the past two decades and outlines key challenges faced today while projecting into the future. By delving into the realities of these engagements and the constraints faced by leaders, it posits that systems thinking can help bring about strategic and significant improvements in the longer term.