Leadership competencies: a global bibliometric analysis (1960–2025)

Over the past few decades, research on leadership competencies has expanded considerably, shaping both academic inquiries and organisational practice. However, its conceptualisation and application remain limited, as many institutions still treat leadership competency models as static models rather than evolving capabilities. This study bridges the gap through a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of 1,993 publications indexed in Scopus (1960–2025), examining intellectual foundations, publication trends, and thematic evolution. Using BiblioMagika, BiblioMagika Split, OpenRefine, and VOSviewer, the study identifies steady growth with over 29,000 citations across social sciences, business, management, and health domains. The United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada are among the leading contributors, with strong international collaboration networks. Results highlight theoretical lenses, such as the resource-based view (RBV) and dynamic capabilities, alongside emerging themes in leadership competencies. Notably, sustainability remains insufficiently embedded within the discourse of leadership competencies, indicating a significant avenue for future examination. The study concludes that leadership competencies should not be regarded as fixed constructs but as adaptive, context-responsive capabilities that evolve with organisational and environmental dynamics. These insights provide a roadmap for integrating sustainability, innovation, and other contextual factors into future leadership competency models.