While the essential qualities of a great leadership have not changed significantly over time, the emphasis placed on certain qualities has evolved to meet cultural imperatives. Given the current challenges faced by business leaders in a knowledge-based global economy, a new set is necessary to make leaders of the future.
Today’s business environment places intellectual property, creativity and innovation as real competitive advantage. Human interactions are essential in today’s market. Market conditions and technologies change at an amazing pace. Businesses must adapt to these changes or risk losing their relevance. Brandon Long Marketing of the future must learn to manage and lead change.
Business leaders today are responsible for shaping tomorrow’s organization. It is therefore imperative that visionary leaders have superior attitude and belief. They are willing and able to acquire new skills and develop a new mindset. Leaders of tomorrow will have to recognize and exploit new opportunities that emerge as new technologies and markets become more prominent in the global economy.
Future organizations will require new types of leaders. Leaders who are willing to forgo the industrial-age leadership mentality in favour of a more modern, knowledge-based style. These leaders can build successful organizations with superior financial performance, high customer loyalty, motivated employees, and an organization that offers full potential and unique contribution to the market.
While vision, inspiration communication, humility and communication remain the core of any leader’s personality, the future leaders have to inspire trust among employees, superiors and peer alike, establish clear purpose, clarify goals and explain the contribution of each member of their team towards those goals, build an aligned organization, processes and structures that encourage rather than hinder growth, value talents and be able unleash the full potential for the whole workforce.
Leaders need to be open to new ways and techniques for addressing and mitigating risks at both the local and global level. They also need to look for opportunities that are embodied within a dynamic environment. Leaders who just want to survive instead of planning for future growth will fail. Successive visionary leaders adapt, invent, harness opportunities, and succeed.
Future leaders must be able to balance business and technology in pursuit of success. They should also find ways to harness the opportunities of emerging markets, institutionalize and embrace new technologies, create a lean organization and align employees with business goals.
Leaders view difficulties as new opportunities. It is their job to harness these opportunities and help develop leaders within the organization. One example is the need to have environmentally-friendly or socially responsible companies. This could make it more cost-effective and attract top talent that share its values.
The team is willing to face the challenge if leaders have a clear vision. It’s important to keep in mind that any vision will only be as effective if it appeals to the right people, is imaginative and most importantly, accurate. Leaders of tomorrow can convey the greatest message to his team by demonstrating confidence and positive forward motion. This is usually evident in their behavior.
It is important to accept the challenges associated to leadership. This includes setting aspirational targets and leading change. However, it shouldn’t affect leadership willingness and commitment for creating value that benefits all parties and society in general. The most rewarding thing about creating value and meaning for others’ lives can be to do so.
The current crisis in leadership within regional communities could be attributed largely to the fact that many leaders are unable or unwilling to develop the necessary skills or new mind sets to manage a knowledge-base era. It is possible to be a leader and be only concerned with short-term performance.