Adapting Leadership for the 21st Century

Sep 2, 2024

What Makes a Great Leader Today?

Introduction

  • Common image of leaders as all-knowing superheroes is outdated.
  • Leadership development programs often based on past success models.

Study of Leadership Development Programs

  • Study of 4,000 companies revealed 58% had talent gaps in leadership roles.
  • Despite training programs, many companies fail in developing strong leaders.
  • Question to consider: "Is my company preparing me to be a great 21st-century leader?"

Observations and Trends

  • 25 years of professional experience studying leadership.
  • Recurring stories of leadership failures:
    • Chris, a high-potential leader failing in a new role.
    • Sidney, a CEO frustrated with lack of prepared leaders.
    • Leadership team surprised by market shifts, leading to drastic company downsizing.
  • Two critical questions:
    • Why are leadership gaps widening despite increased investment?
    • What are great leaders doing differently?

Global Study on Leadership Practices

  • Conducted a year-long global study on leadership practices.
  • Learned from historical and current leaders, including:
    • Nelson Mandela’s forward-thinking leadership.
    • Nonprofit leaders achieving impact with limited resources.
    • Presidential libraries to understand how environments shape leaders.

Characteristics of Thriving Leaders

Leadership in the 21st Century

  • Defined by three key questions:
    1. Where are you looking to anticipate the next change?
      • Look at your calendar: Who are you spending time with? What are you reading?
      • Anticipate changes and prepare proactively.
      • Example of leadership teams sharing trends to anticipate and strategize.
    2. What is the diversity measure of your network?
      • Importance of diverse relationships across biological, cultural, functional, etc.
      • Diverse networks enhance pattern identification and solution development.
    3. Are you courageous enough to abandon past successful practices?
      • Importance of risk-taking and emotional stamina.
      • The courage to innovate and accept criticism as part of growth.

Conclusion

  • Great leaders prepare not just for today but for unknown possibilities of tomorrow.
  • Effectiveness as a leader depends on addressing the three key questions rather than traditional programs.

Key Takeaway

  • Great leaders stand out by preparing for current realities and future uncertainties.