Abstract :
This paper examines how leadership that combines breakthrough thinking and disruptive behaviours, moderated and enabled by the HEART Leadership model (Human-Cantered, Empathetic, Authentic, Resilient, Transformational), fosters innovation, adaptability, and sustainable transformation in organizations. We introduce a suite of measurement indices (Human-Centric Index, Empathy-Driven Value Index, Purpose-Driven Leadership Index, Trust & Growth Index, Influence Capital Index, Conscious Innovation Index, Adaptive Leadership Index, Leadership Disruption Index, Ecosystem Scalability Index, Wisdom Index, and Adaptive Influence Index) to operationalize HEART values and leadership disruption. Using a sequential mixed-methods design—case studies from masked Organization A followed by a large-scale survey (n = 320 employees)—we test a model: Breakthrough Thinking ? Disruptive Leadership Behaviour ? Innovation Outcomes, with HEART dimensions as mediators/moderators. Findings reveal that HEART-aligned leadership significantly amplifies the impact of breakthrough thinking on disruptive behaviour and, through that, on innovation and organizational resilience. Specifically, higher scores on Human-Centric Index (HCI), Empathy-Driven Value Index (EDVI), Purpose-Driven Leadership Index (PDLI), and Trust & Growth Index (TGI) are associated with stronger innovation outcomes. The expanded discussion highlights the connection between control, purpose over profit, and relational integrity in disruption. The paper contributes theoretically by integrating cognitive, behavioural, and relational dimensions, and practically by offering indices and a framework for leadership development that is values-grounded, people-powered, and future-ready.
Keyword :
Breakthrough leadership, Disruptive leadership, HEART leadership, Innovation; Leadership indices, Organizational resilience, Purpose-driven leadership.