The 21st Century Boss
A major shift is occurring in early education. Brain science is revealing the importance of social/emotional factors in enabling the brain to learn. Essentially, progressive schools are spending an ever greater amount of time cultivating healthy sense of self and so-called “emotional literacy.” Research is demonstrating that when the classroom is an emotionally healthy place for the student, their brains work better.
While this new pedagogy has not formally grown beyond pre-school and elementary school, I think it’s just a matter of time before the importance of social/emotional health become common wisdom in the literature and practice of business leadership.
While there will always be notable exceptions, I believe the successful bosses on the 21st Century will be those that focus on creating healthy environments for their teams; workplaces that while maintaining high expectations and a commitment to accountability and excellence, support the individual, and understand that a worker who feels supported, validated and trusted is a worker that will do their best work. Much of management practice grew out of a more militaristic, top down, command and control approach. That is being replaced by the servant leader.
Between the impact technology has had on the expectations younger generations have on their career velocity, and the success of companies that have completely ignored the common wisdom of yesteryear, the model of a great boss is changing.
Just last week we had the pleasure of hosting General Raymond Thomas at Pandora. As the head of JSOC, he is one of the highest ranking members of the military. He came to talk about leadership. Even he, running perhaps the most hierarchical organization ever created, spoke extensively about the need for humility, and personal connection with his team members.
Leadership is going through a fascinating period of evolution. It will be very interesting to profile the Fortune 100 ten years from now. I suspect the CEOs of those organizations will be a completely new breed.
Instructional Assistant at Theodore Roosevelt Elementary
7 年I think social emotional health is crucial to any students learning ability. Having issues regarding your health mentally and socially will drag an individual down preventing them from personal growth. I do feel as though classrooms need to emphasize the need for healthy minds inside the classroom as well as outside.
Founder & CEO at Arts
9 年Great..!
Senior IS Business Analyst at The City and County of San Francisco Department of Building Inspection
9 年The old school leaders came from one or a combination of these three types: lead by authority of position, lead by personal charisma or lead by technical ability. "Servant leader" sounds like a great evolution,
Library Program Coordinator
9 年Love the term "servant leader". The evolution of leadership today is fascinating.