THE ROLE OF LEADERS IN ESTABLISHING AND MAINTAINING INTERORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS

Purpose: This paper aims to delineate the leader's role in both establishing and maintaining interorganizational relationships.It is leaders on whom the success of teams under their guidance hinges significantly, impacting the achievement of organizational goals, an entity's overall effectiveness, the efficiency of its operation, market positioning, and relationshipbuilding with external entities.Design/methodology/approach: As business and technological trends evolve, leaders need to demonstrate not only managerial skills but also interpersonal skills, empathy, and flexibility.The objectives were achieved through a pilot study using a PAPI, CAWI survey method with a self-constructed questionnaire.The target group was middle-and top-level managers, currently students of the Master of Business Administration.The study focuses on the dynamics of inter-organizational relationships, their form, motivation, and leadership roles.Findings: The pilot study findings underscore the significance of a leader possessing both knowledge and appropriate character traits within an organization seeking inter-organizational collaboration.The leader's primary objective should be to inspire individuals to forge relationships, complemented by effective organizing or planning tailored to the sector's requirements.Originality/value: The article introduces insights into the role of leadership in establishing and maintaining inter-organizational relationships, highlighting qualities such as respect, open communication, and teamwork.It provides a valuable basis for understanding leadership dynamics in the public and private sectors.To date, there has been no research in the literature on the location and dynamics of leadership in education.This pilot study is the first phase of a larger project and shows that the research direction is valid based on the analysis of the literature and the experiences of managers.