Adaptive Leadership for Successful Project Management in a Cape Town ICT Institution

Orientation: Rapid digital transformation, socio-economic volatility, and institutional uncertainty have amplified the need for leadership models that promote flexibility, collaboration, and contextual responsiveness. Adaptive leadership offers a dynamic framework to manage such complexity within project-based environments.

Research purpose: This study explored how adaptive leadership supports successful project management within a Cape Town information and communication technology (ICT) training institution.

Motivation for the study: Although adaptive leadership has been widely theorised, limited empirical research has examined its application in South African higher education or ICT-based contexts. Understanding how adaptive leadership principles translate into project success can enhance leadership development and organisational resilience in this sector.

Research design, approach and method: Anchored in the constructivist paradigm, the study adopted a qualitative case study design. Data were collected through a focus group discussion with seven project leaders and analysed thematically using a hybrid inductive–deductive approach to identify dominant patterns and relationships.

Main findings: The results revealed four interconnected pillars of adaptive leadership that enhance project success: (1) talent acquisition grounded in character and emotional intelligence, (2) continuous leadership development supported by knowledge management, (3) organisational justice reinforced by motivation and recognition, and (4) technological enablement for predictive foresight. These pillars collectively form a synergistic framework that strengthens institutional resilience and project outcomes in dynamic environments.

Practical/managerial implications: The findings offer practical guidance for higher education and ICT-based organisations on embedding adaptive leadership into recruitment, training, motivation, and technological systems to ensure sustainable project delivery.

Contribution/value-add: This study contributes to leadership and higher education literature by demonstrating how adaptive leadership can be systematically integrated into ICT institutions to enhance adaptability, innovation, and organisational competitiveness in an increasingly uncertain environment.