Abstract
Data shows that 12% of leaders are rated as ‘very effective’ at leadership. This research emphasizes the importance of understanding human behavior and its impact on leadership effectiveness, innovative work behavior (IWB), and the ability to respond to complex cyber threats, particularly in the realm of cybersecurity leadership. Emotional intelligence (EI), a key human factor, is highlighted as a crucial element that can stimulate cognitive absorption, leading to innovative work behavior and improved innovation efficiency (IE). This underscores the need for leaders to not only be technically proficient but also emotionally intelligent to effectively manage their teams and respond to cyber threats. The article also calls for a shift in leadership education to a more holistic and engaged exploration of key leadership attributes, moving beyond traditional methods that often limit understanding to a single culture or approach. This involves understanding the human factors that influence leadership styles and their effectiveness. Furthermore, the use of a literature review underscores the need for leaders to understand the human elements behind cyber threats. Overall the data suggests that leaders need a comprehensive understanding of leadership principles and an active engagement in its theories to foster innovative thinking within cybersecurity leadership.