Leadership 4.0 Standards in the Light of the Fourth Industrial Revolution

The study aimed to propose Leadership 4.0 standards in the digital age in the light of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and the use of artificial intelligence in leadership and administrative tasks, through a comprehensive analysis of educational literature, research, and previous studies during the 2024/2025 academic year. The study focused on providing criteria to enhance the efficiency, skills, and capabilities of leaders in the field to ensure continued excellence and achieve digital equity, comprehensive quality, and competitive advantage through smart software and applications, and their leadership considering rapid technological developments. What distinguishes this study from others is its reliance on an analytical approach as a basis for extrapolating previous studies to understand the challenges, opportunities, and ways to enhance the principles of smart investment in technology. This is to build a long-term future strategy and activate the role of effective partnerships in a fair and sustainable manner. The study was based on an in-depth review of previous research findings. Among the most important findings of the study are the development of ten proposed criteria for activating Leadership 4.0: technology, adaptability and flexibility, data-driven decision-making, encouraging innovation and creativity, collaborative and networked leadership, empowerment and talent development, emotional intelligence and effective communication, digital ethics and responsibility, and a growth mindset and continuous learning. The study recommends a set of recommendations, most notably the integration of Leadership 4.0 concepts into the educational curricula of management and leadership programs. The study recommends redesigning the curricula of business and management colleges to include topics on digital leadership, innovation, digital ethics, and remote collaborative work, with the aim of preparing leaders who are aligned with the requirements of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Keywords: Leadership 4.0, Fourth Industrial Revolution, Digital Age