Redefining Leadership for the 21st Century (1)

Leadership, with all its facets and complexities, is constantly being examined and defined. With the challenging organizational changes that today's leaders face, the concept of leadership is critical to organizational success and health. Thus, the scrutiny focused on leadership concepts and themes is invaluable to discovering and nurturing the seeds of leadership in an organization. Some important themes have emerged from this quest to understand what is sometimes the obvious but often the elusive idea of leadership.

"Everyone is a Leader."
Studies have shown that there are many kinds of leaders arising from all levels of the organization. Each person has a leader inside of them and it is a matter of circumstance when and where those leadership abilities will be called upon. Remember that leadership is a process and many variables act upon the emergence of a leader. But each person must be viewed as your next potential leader.

"Bringing out the Best in Everyone."
In the past leaders have used non-empowering techniques to get results from their people. But today we see that not only have the people changed but the rules have changed as well. What worked yesterday no longer works today. Leaders today find that a mentoring, sensitive, and sharing approach is more effective. They guide their followers toward mutual goals rather than forcing them to achieve imposed goals and allow members to share in the feeling of success.

"Leadership versus Management."
In today's world of constant change and complexity, organizations are looking for leaders who cannot only cope with these variables but flourish in them. It is easy to teach someone the rules of the organization with its protocols and procedures and have them administer those programs. But it is no longer practical when overnight new protocols replace old ones and procedures change everyday. Embracing new challenges and inspiring others to do the same is what defines today's leader.

"Sensitivity in Leadership."
Because of the global and cultural demands of the business world today, leaders must be intuitive and proactive in the way they approach management. Together with an evermore diverse workplace, leaders must embrace experiences and backgrounds that are different from their own. They must shift from accommodation to empowerment and then they will be witnesses to the best in people. Being a sensitive leader used to be regarded as a weak leader but today's greatest leaders show that sensitivity is the path to building a strong organization.

"The Holistic Leader."
The image of the "totally together" leaders will be replaced with the "life-long learner." Areas that used to clear cut and black and white have now become shades of gray. Leaders can no longer rely on historic values and judgments. A new covenant has been formed between leaders and followers and it is not based on historical perspectives. We have evolved into a day where individuals are valued and appreciated for the characteristics that are intrinsic to them and their uniqueness. An effective leader has to embrace these differences and find creative ways to build an organization from a group of individuals.

"Leaders as Change Masters."
The ability to embrace change with a sense of excitement and challenge is the one characteristic that today's leaders must have. It has become an essential part of the "leader's personality." Where change used to be a burden, change is now a way to do things in a better way. When every day is different than the one before complacency is gone forever. There is no such thing as routine in today's business world and a new sense of excitement has emerged. 21st Century leaders are blessed with this new atmosphere of stimulation and must embrace it as a blessing and not a burden.

These themes are some of the new ideas coming from leadership studies. They define the requirements that are now essential to today's leaders. Companies are no longer looking for good people to manage their businesses' assets but leaders who will maximize their company's assets to the greatest degree. Making the most out of the resources available and making those resources the best they can possibly be is the standard to which leaders are held. Making do is no longer good enough just as meeting goals is no longer good enough. Doing the very best and exceeding goals is the direction today's leaders are heading towards.

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