Guest Editorial: Why Didn’t We Change the Future Yesterday?

This special issue on “Challenges to Ethical and Responsible Leadership in Transforming Economies,” explores the central role of ethical leadership in catalyzing a sustainable future. The selected papers focus on (1) the need of new business success aims, understanding (2) cultural norms and regional differences and (3) the moral compass of leadership and leadership education.The question—why didn’t we change the future yesterday?—strikes at the heart of today’s leadership paradox. Despite widespread recognition of the need for ethical and sustainable practices, both public and private organizations remain slow to respond. This reluctance reveals critical barriers: political entrenchment, leadership failure, organizational misalignment and cultural rigidity.