Abstract:
This article presents hospitality as a pivotal value in the context of increasing diversity that
characterises the complex relations in which leadership emerges. After reviewing the concept
of Otherness in philosophy, the notion of hospitality as developed by Richard Kearney in
relation to his philosophy of religion (The God Who May Be) is introduced. The case of
Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Chief Albert Luthuli is then presented as a biographical leadership
study from the African context to illustrate how hospitality as open response to radical
Otherness may inspire collaboration and foster positive change. The article then addresses
ways in which the notions of hospitality and Otherness present new opportunities to leadership
studies for responding to the relational challenges of the globalised world. Amidst an increased
scholarly focus on relationality and the need for relational intelligence, globalisation routinely
confronts leaders and their followers with radical Otherness. Through dialogue between
theology, philosophy of religion and leadership studies and by presenting a case from the
African context, the article offers in print what is called for in the global context, namely an
open response to the alterity of the Other that enables collaboration amidst increasing diversity.
CONTRIBUTION : Proceeding from a transdisciplinary engagement, the article illustrates
that leadership studies stood to benefit from dialogue with theology and philosophy of
religion, which offers ways of addressing the Otherness that characterise the globalised
context of leadership.
