In this morning while I was scanning the net I came cross this article which is amazing and worth to read.What we expect of our leaders?By Brian Woodward, Ph.D. Today much of the writing on leadership focuses on the individual leader – personal qualities, characteristics, skills, abilities, and knowledge. But very little work exists about the context of leadership or about the emerging world in which leaders live. This world, especially after September 11, reflects new economic and social realities as well as the perceptions, hopes, and expectations of a variety of interested constituents. A sound understanding of this context is critical because it creates the demands leaders must meet and the environment wherein the leader lives and works. The context determines the core personal skills and competencies leaders need to work effectively, and the parameters for success and failure. Three critical elements characterize leadership context. The first is the growing number of voices, perspectives, and points-of-view. Today’s leaders face significantly more diverse information than at any time in the past.The number of cultural communities has increased dramatically and with them, an increase in what people have to say. The diversity of knowledge and perspectives has become a common feature of daily leadership life. By all indicators, this growth in diverse perspectives will likely continue. The second feature of today’s leadership context has to do with mapping and direction. There are so few clear paths that show the way for leaders today. Few ground rules exist that leaders in the past have been able to use as guideposts, signs, or indicators.Added to this are the unforeseen consequences that result from any decision or action taken by a leader. The result is a very unclear and constantly Today shifting decision space. Today’s leader cannot be certain that decision A will lead to intended result B without having unintended, but significant consequences X, Y, and Z. The final characteristic has to do with expectations. Today’s leader is expected to get it right and get it right fast. There are high expectations to deal effectively with the complexity of the circumstances and to develop sustainable success into the future. The demand is for a type of intelligence that deals with constantly emerging problems and opportunities. The demand is also to win against intelligent opponents and competitors. Leaders exist in a highly competitive environment alongside other leaders just like them. And our organizations tend to have little patience for poor corporate performance and lack of profitability.
Posted on: Thu, 27 Mar 2014 09:05:59 +0000
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