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1-Page Summary of What It Takes
Most people think of leaders as being heroic and having all the answers. This is not a good way to be a leader because it doesn’t allow for mistakes or learning from others. Most leadership development programs are outdated and don’t focus on what’s happening now in business, so there aren’t enough leaders to fill key roles at companies. In addition, many negative themes have emerged in today’s leadership preparation: promising, ambitious leaders assume positions but flounder; CEOs find that most of their great employees can’t lead top initiatives; seasoned leadership teams meet with unexpected changes and fail miserably. These examples illustrate that there is a growing gap between the skills needed to be an effective leader despite concerted efforts to develop good leaders.
Using outmoded leadership practices can inhibit one’s professional development. In addition, using assessment models that are outdated and don’t accurately portray the employee’s strengths and weaknesses, such as 360-degree reviews, can mask gaps in a company’s preparedness for upcoming challenges. The information age is here now, so to be ready for current and future challenges in leadership roles within an organization, think about these three questions:
“Where are you looking to spot the next trend in your business or life?” We should examine whom we associate with, what we talk about, where we go and what we read. This will help us predict potential discontinuities. It’s better if we prepare ourselves for these changes rather than merely respond to them when they happen.
If you have a network of people who share your same politics and background, it’s time to branch out. This will help you see trends from different perspectives and find fresh solutions for problems that might otherwise seem insurmountable. Also, be willing to take risks if you want to grow as an innovator. Your new ideas may not always be welcomed by everyone, but if they are truly good ideas, someone will eventually support them.
It’s more important to respond well to leadership questions than it is to get training. All great leaders are prepared for the present and future, even if they don’t know what it’s going to be like.
