Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Lessons
For
the
21st
Possess vision. Don't confuse vision with goals. While long-term goals may be based on a business' vision, an authentic vision is an easy-to-articulate principle cutting across goals and rallying everyone in the organization. A traditional goal: "We'll achieve 5 percent sales growth next year." A 21st century vision: "Sale or no sale, we'll position ourselves as a state-of-the-art company in the mind of every prospect." Practice role adaption. In years gone by, leaders often were encouraged to identify their leadership "style" and practice it consistently. No more. In the years ahead, leaders will be expected to shift their style, depending on the needs of the moment. At one point, for instance, a leader may serve as a coach, at another moment, as a facilitator, and at still another moment, as a strategist. Provide self-leadership. Before the leader of tomorrow can lead others, he or she will have to learn to lead him or herself. Tomorrow's leaders will develop lifelong personal education programs, obtain their own mentors or coaches to guide them, and find ways to constantly renew their confidence. Serve as knowledge brokers. Leaders of the 21st century will spend time studying and training. They'll maintain computerized "knowledge bases" of information and constantly replenish them with up-to-date data. They'll be quick to retrieve knowledge from the people around them, and repackage it for others. Subscribe to personal ethics principles. Bureaucracy has frustrated people the world over and has generated widespread distrust of institutions. Customers and employers will gravitate toward businesses led by principled leaders who base their actions on strong personal values and commitments. Understand and manage diversity. The 21st century workplace will consist of people of a wide variety of ethnic and social backgrounds. Customer backgrounds will become more varied as well, and even small firms will be doing business internationally. Tomorrow's leaders will understand the traditions and cultures of the people they are serving and working with - and they'll promote an appreciation for diversity throughout the workplace. The 21st century is upon us. Are you ready for the leadership challenges this era poses?