The nature of leadership is evolving to meet the challenges of increasing complexity, uncertainty, and disruption. Leaders are being challenged to adapt, and embrace the reality of constant change, rather than pursuing stability.
Leadership is becoming less about formal authority and hierarchy, and more about guiding, influencing, and supporting people to achieve results. Those you lead seek coherence, transparency, connection, and support.
Developing leadership wisdom is essential for meeting the changing priorities of people, organizations, and communities. Leadership wisdom combines awareness, experience, and insight to:
- Build a culture of trust through personal integrity, fairness, and transparency. A leader’s values-driven behavior is reliable and predictable. Feedback is encouraged, and sincerely acted upon, nurturing collaboration.
- Seek diverse perspectives from all stakeholders to gain essential insights, continuously learn, and develop an accurate understanding of reality. Quality personal interactions are appreciated as being more important than technology platforms for securing sustainable progress. Critical thinking precedes decision-making, ensuring that strategy and culture are aligned while balancing short-term needs with long-term goals.
- Create the conditions for people to do their best work by ensuring clarity, empowering experimentation, and providing the necessary resources. Performance expectations, expected behaviors, and cultural norms are well-defined. People’s contributions are recognized, revealing how they are making a difference.
Leadership development has always been a continual process of discovery, learning, and application. This adaptive, collaborative approach to leadership is crucial for navigating uncertainty, and fostering the trust and engagement needed for sustainable progress. By cultivating leadership wisdom, executives can effectively guide their organizations through complexity and change.
How are you gathering, and leading with, wisdom?
