The Looming Global Leadership Crisis:
A Call for Transformative Change
We are barreling toward, if not already entrenched in, a global leadership crisis.
Employee disengagement rates remain alarming, with a staggering 70% of workers still feeling disconnected from their roles. Despite the massive annual investment in leadership development, amounting to billions of dollars, the statistics show no signs of improvement.
Now, with the rise of AI, poised to handle mundane tasks, should be a boon. Yet, as technology advances, people find their work—an integral part of their identity—being stripped away.
This shift sets the scene for an existential crisis for many, as the meaning of being human in the workplace becomes increasingly obscure. Displacement looms for numerous workers, necessitating widespread retraining.
For far too long, we have treated people as a resource, expendable commodities in the relentless pursuit of profit. Now, more than ever, genuine leadership is essential. However, what we currently call leadership is merely modern management practices. The inadequacy of our training programs and the process of development is evident; otherwise, the engagement statistics would reflect a different reality.
It is time to redefine leadership.
Two weeks ago, I addressed 70 business owners and leaders on the imperative of engaging humans in an increasingly technological world. During this discussion, I proposed a new definition of leadership:
"Leadership is about helping other people become the best version of themselves, so they can do their life's best work, while in your care and beyond." - Dave Clare
This concept of leadership transcends positions and titles. It emphasizes a profound care for individuals as human beings first, and employees or team members second.
As we navigate these turbulent times, we must reintroduce humanity into the workplace. Leadership should be straightforward: we lead people, and we manage resources. It is crucial to acknowledge that people are not resources.
To avert this looming crisis, we need leaders who can inspire and nurture the human spirit, fostering environments where individuals can thrive and perform their best work. This human-centric approach to leadership is not just a necessity; it is the only viable path forward.
The era of treating people as expendable commodities must end. Honestly, it should never have been here in the first place. The time for transformative, human-centric leadership has arrived. Let us lead differently.
It's time to lead different.
Together we can...
#EvolveTheWorldOfWork
Dave Clare, Chief Evolution Officer
Evolving The World of Work Podcast is LIVE!
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WEEKLY CLARISM
Please see above...you get the point.
Here's to our crazy ones...
We're redefining business success. It's not just about being the best in the world, but the best for the world. Our "crazy ones" are the entrepreneurs, the trailblazers, the mavericks of leadership who actually care about people. They are the leaders willing to go first, so their team can go further. Those who dare to put people and purpose first, where profit naturally follows.
This is for you.
This is for those of you who see people as humans first, employees second. You are the coaches, not bosses, building ecosystems of leadership where every voice matters, where every idea is valued. In your world, leadership is about purpose, not hierarchy; about outcomes, not tasks. You create spaces where people are involved and invested, where decisions are shared, not dictated.
Others might question your methods, wonder at your priorities. But one thing is certain — they cannot ignore you. You are more than innovators; you are the architects of the future. You are the ones crafting workplaces that don't just exist but excel; environments where people don't just work but belong.
Together we can...
#EvolveTheWorldOfWork
NB: Our "crazy ones" manifesto is styled on the Apple, think different campaign.
THE INNER-CIRCLE
Ideally, this?#newsletter?is for you. Yeah, we might share the odd humble brag, but it intends to add value and inspire more purpose-driven leadership worldwide. If you have a question on a relevant leadership, culture, or strategy topic, please ask and we will provide our insights.