Unpacking the Strategic Leadership-Performance Nexus: A Conceptual Review

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Abstract

Strategic leadership has emerged as a pivotal determinant of organizational performance in today's dynamic and complex business environment. This conceptual review aims to explore the multifaceted relationship between strategic leadership and organizational performance, offering an integrated framework that captures the nuances of this critical nexus. Drawing upon contemporary leadership theories, strategic management paradigms, and empirical findings, the paper unpacks how strategic leaders influence vision articulation, resource allocation, innovation, and culture building ultimately shaping performance outcomes. The review identifies key dimensions of strategic leadership, including transformational behavior, adaptive capacity, strategic thinking, and ethical governance. It also discusses the mediating and moderating roles of organizational learning, employee engagement, and environmental dynamism in this relationship. By synthesizing insights from both Western and Indian leadership literature, this study provides a culturally inclusive perspective on leadership effectiveness. The paper concludes with implications for theory, practice, and future research, encouraging scholars to examine sectoral and contextual contingencies that shape the strategic leadership-performance link. This review contributes to advancing a holistic understanding of how strategic leadership can be leveraged to drive sustainable performance in diverse organizational settings.