What do you do if your industry's leadership demands are evolving?

In organizational perspective: Keep abreast of industry trends, technological advancements, and changes in market dynamics that impact leadership requirements. Evaluate the existing leadership skills within your organization to identify gaps and areas for improvement. Revise leadership development programs to align with the evolving demands of the industry. Incorporate new skills, competencies, and best practices relevant to the changing landscape.

I celebrate the opportunity. Heraclitus said "the only thing that doesn't change is change itself' - and i accept that challenge. It is a life challenge. So the task is to re-imagine what leadership is up to and where they're stuck and where 'doofusness' is leading. Then re-create the challenge.

As an individual, it's crucial to assess your ability to lead in the present circumstances and anticipate future challenges. One effective strategy is to envision a leadership position five years down the line and outline its potential responsibilities. Subsequently, create a Personal Development Plan (PDP) to equip yourself for this role. Learning should not merely involve gathering information; it must align with your PDP.

Hiring a leadership coach is another SMART strategy to prepare yourself. Developing a PDP by yourself is not always easy. Having a leadership coach can assist you in discovering your potential, assessing your readiness, and exploring all the possibilities to formulate your career plan.

Building a network with both like-minded individuals and competitors is crucial. By interacting with like-minded people, you can learn and reinforce your existing knowledge. Conversely, engaging with competitive individuals provides opportunities to both learn and unlearn. The challenges you face while interacting with competitive individuals can accelerate your growth and make you stronger.

In response to evolving leadership demands in your industry, fostering adaptability is paramount. In my experience, embrace change in your team by experimenting with new leadership strategies and encouraging your team to do the same. Promoting adaptability ensures your team is well-equipped to navigate and thrive in the dynamic landscape of your industry, preparing them for future challenges and opportunities.

Accepting you can’t be everything to everyone. It’s unlikely you will ever be the leader everyone wants you to be, so let go of your perfectionist tendencies and get to know your limitations. Often, leaders are told to iron out and expand their limitations. Yet, this will often leave you giving up developing your strengths by overextending yourself into a weakness. There’s simply not enough time to focus on both. Instead, it is usually possible to find ways around your limitations. If you’re not great at organisation, you can find support from a deputy, for example. Start by finding your unique advantage. Anything else you can either work on improving or find someone else to plug the gaps.

From an organizational standpoint, investing in your people entails more than simply sending them to training sessions and conferences. It's imperative to establish a system that caters to each employee's development needs, particularly in enhancing their leadership capabilities through Personal Development Plans (PDPs). This responsibility primarily falls under the purview of the Learning and Development (L&D) Department. Direct message for additional support and guidance.