What will it take to be an effective leader in the future? I believe two of the most foundational leadership attributes of the future will be the capacity to integrate, in the broadest sense, and to regulate self. We live in an interconnected and interdependent world that is constantly evolving, with massive amounts of information generated and accessible every minute of every day. Leaders of the future must be able to quickly sift through all of this information to find the essence of what is meaningful and create actionable focus in spite of the constant interference of new information. And to get to this point, leaders must be able to clear their minds, let go of their baggage, understand their constraints, and recognize the limitations of their perspectives.
How will you recognize the people who can lead us to a far better future? They will be the people who do the following.
Act with a bias for:
· Collaboration and partnerships to leverage resources and magnify opportunities for success. This means recognizing that all can do better by working together versus the success of one is to the detriment of others.
· Following through on commitments and keeping promises. This means being trustworthy by doing what they say they will do.
Think in a way that:
· Demonstrates a mindset of curiosity and learning rather than judgment and presumption. This means seeking to understand before being understood, withholding judgment, and using questioning skills to both learn and teach.
· Simplifies the complex, in part, by seeing events and actions in a broader context. This means having a strategic focus, not losing sight of the bigger picture, and identifying observable patterns.
Communicate in a manner that:
· Ignites thinking and emotions in others, which in turn, invokes and sustains positive action. This means sharing the facts and rationale for decisions with sensitivity and compassion, and using the power of storytelling to connect with others and demonstrate empathy.
· Gives recognition to the fact that one perspective is but one small piece of the whole truth. This means checking out assumptions and expectations to ensure a common understanding as well as respecting the opinions of others.
Feel comfortable with:
· Uncertainty, being in the present moment that is free of all interferences, being patient with what you can’t control, and accepting responsibility for what you can control. This means recognizing that a situation is what it is without personalizing it, and empowering yourself to take positive action to create the best outcome possible.
· Spirituality and the belief that there is a higher purpose that goes beyond self-interest and material wealth. This means living a life of integrity and according to strong values, and being willing to set aside self-interest for the greater good of all.
Fortunately, all of these attributes are within the power of all of us to demonstrate. To be a leader is more a matter of will than inherent talent.
Tags: bias for action, future leadership, leadership attributes, leadership qualities, leadership skills, leadership style, leadership traits, think and act like a leader
