Category: Management Science Copyright © 2018, IGI Global. Copying or distributing in print or electronic forms without written permission of IGI Global is prohibited. 5626 DOI: 10.4018/978-1-5225-2255-3.ch488 Contemporary Leadership Development in Kazakhstan INTRODUCTION Since the independence of Kazakhstan, 25 years ago, universities in the country have developed the system of educating and training managers and leaders for all spheres of the economy. Obviously the world-wide processes such, as globalization, integration, information technologies in higher ed- ucation as well have their impact on the formation of leadership. As in many other countries in order to educate new managers and leaders, traditionally western models of human resource development were translated and adopted. This article is the continuation of the series of social-psychological researches in the Republic of Kazakhstan (RK). The co-authors began their collaboration in spring semesters of 2009 and 2010, when Dr. Tazhina was undergoing an internship at the Columbia University and together with Dr. Parker developed a joint international research project. Later, in 2012, Dr. Ivashov joined the research when he had internship at the NYU. BACKGROUND The Traditional Culture of Kazakhstan and Contemporaneousness/Globalization Traditional Kazakh culture has historically been determined by the nomadic lifestyle and harsh living conditions of this vast territory and became a regulatory mechanism for daily life. Clan mem- bership, a clear age hierarchy and inter-familial relationships were a priority. Elders were at the top of the hierarchy and the family was and still is in charge of resolving social and psychologi- cal conflicts. (Mаsanov, 1998). Later Akshalova (2002) clarified, that “from outset, it should be asserted that within the Kazakhstani culture, there is respect to elders and seniors and hence, all the more, father leadership should be encouraged and practiced in small business management. After all, it is a benevolent leadership style that benefits all parties concerned – the leaders, the people and the organizations”. For this reason, from the point of view of the identity formation and managerial education, it is important to consider the impact of globalization and a joint conflict between western mind-set and traditional values (Tazhina, 2010). The latter and a number of other social phenomena led to risen demand for applied psychology, which takes form of social-psychological training of skills such as leadership, effective communication, motivation, etc. While individual leadership is important, the context of the organization can enhance or inhibit the leadership of its members. Dorfman and House (2004) report that at the first GLOBE research conference in 1994, there was a consen- sus of the 54 researchers from 38 countries (of which Kazakhstan was one) about a definition of Gainiya Tazhina University of International Business, Kazakhstan Judith Parker Teachers College, Columbia University, USA Arslan Ivashov Kazakh Ablai Khan University of International Relations and World Languages, USA