Leadership, Competencies, and Organizational Readiness for Industry 6.0

Global industry is transitioning from the paradigm of Industry 4.0 to the human-centered visions of Industry 5.0 and the emerging Industry 6.0. In this context, adaptability, ethical governance, and intelligent human–technology collaboration becomes strategic imperatives. This article addresses three guiding questions: how leadership must evolve, which competencies are critical for future workforces, and how production systems can be designed to remain both sustainable and antifragile. Drawing on a narrative meta-synthesis of 23 peer-reviewed studies selected for their direct analysis of Industry 5.0 and 6.0 transitions and complemented by five additional publications used specifically to construct the CALE framework, the paper traces the evolution of production system management and workforce requirements. Findings reveal a clear shift from efficiency-oriented models toward collaborative, systemic, and ethically anchored leadership. The main contribution is the CALE framework (Competencies, Adaptability, Leadership, and Ethics) proposed as an integrated model for assessing organizational readiness in the transition to Industry 6.0. Beyond synthesizing literature, the paper offers a practical conceptual roadmap to evaluate maturity, support workforce development, and align technological adoption with human-centered values and long-term sustainability goals.