The Future Is Now: 21st Century Leadership
Authenticity and transparency are to be the hallmarks of emerging and successful leadership this century.
No longer will leaders be able to hide behind the veil of unaccountability and untouchability.
For in this new world, men and women will gravitate towards leaders who are in the dark as they are in the light. Transparent, vulnerable and approachable.
And if leaders are exposed for whom they really are, in a questionable light, the customers, the clients, the followers, the listeners, the watchers – they will leave – and leave in droves. Governments will be overturned. Buildings will be vacated, and businesses will fold.
Unless the people are engaged in the conversation and allowed to contribute, and are allowed to voice their opinion in an environment of openness, they will seek greener pastures.
No longer is the leadership model pyramidal. The pyramid is long dead and gone, and has suddenly been leveled to unveil a landscape that is now broad and expansive, and where the leader has been offered the opportunity to embrace their followers in a spirit of love, compassion, respect and understanding.
People will no longer be told what to do. We saw this ever so clearly when the Berlin Wall crumbled, and cracks are already beginning to appear in other ideologies that have enclosed other nations in the past. With these will also fall the hidden walls that many a leader is currently hiding behind – whether in politics, education, organizations, charities, churches or businesses – the walls will fall.
And what shall we call this new model that is forming every second, even as I write? I call it sociocratic, and it is covering the earth with the speed of technology’s ever-reaching grasp. Before long it will have touched each and every corner of the earth, with ever-increasing speed.
If we as leaders are going to rise up as the true and respected leaders of not only the Baby Boomers, the Gen X’s, Gen Y’s and the Gen Z’s, along with all of the future generations that will follow – we as leaders will need to put on our listening ears. These generations are demanding, and will continue to demand, to be heard. They want to be loved and respected as contributors, and not just as receivers.
No longer will they sit on the sidelines to be told what to do. They want to be heard. But if there is no-one listening they will leave with either their votes or their support in search of another who will take the time to hear their voice.
A new day of leadership is dawning.
So we as leaders need to take note if we are still stuck in the 20th Century. We must review our model. We must analyse our style. We must come down off our mountains. For the people in the valley are ready to be led by true 21st Century leadership.
Tags: Leadership, Servanthood, Wisdom
Posted: 08/03/2009
09.03.09
What fuels your writing? What is your source?
My last question…What is the finished product of a 21st century leader? Is is for some greater cause, or is it to advance and project a more successful self?
10.03.09
This whole topic is SO interesting and so true of current trends. People today have so much choice, and that choice allows them to be fickle – if someone wants to dominate, they will choose another option and not put themselves under that. They don’t have to stay under it as in previous generations, due to lack of choice, perhaps they would have had to. Those who want to dominate could be left with no followers… as who would choose to follow in that kind of environment?
After all a respected leader is relatable, secure and not trying to prove themselves and someone others want to follow – among many other things.
You model this Peter.
10.03.09
Thanks Ed for your questions. What fuels my writing? A desire to inspire. What is my source? The God of the Bible….and the finished product? Well if I could see into the future it would be great….but I suppose my desired product is a world led my leaders who have a servant’s heart. They are there for the people and not only for self-serving ambitions. For if the followers win the leader wins.
12.03.09
Its sad that there are many countries on this planet that are ruled by corrupt, violent regimes. I know I am lucky to live in a country where leaders can actually be held accountable for their actions.
22.03.09
Morality and empowerment are two such areas that I believe resonates with what you are saying… I do agree that the pyramid type of leadership is long gone… anyone can access information, anyone can create, anyone can skill themselves… these are not exclusive skills that are provided by the leadership of an organization. There is a greater sense of a moral type of leadership, where people may be empowered to be leaders within their own rights. Members of an organization look for a leader that will enable them to network, to use their talents, to help imagine the unimaginable, to create knowledge and to skill themselves in a manner that is personally satisfying.
01.07.09
Peter, great to hear your inspiration comes from above. Bless you brother. Keep making deposits into the kingdom.
Ed