What We Need from Leaders in the 21st Century

In the face of interconnected challenges and opportunities, leadership is in crisis.

Concerns about a dearth of leadership were seen then and can still be seen today. Subsequently, organisations are now suffering. There is a crisis in organisational trust. There is little progress in resolving the big picture challenges we face.

"We need leaders who are better prepared for what is emerging and consequently are mindful of how our present and future behaviours and thinking can be anchored and stifled by the past," says David Ross, Author of Confronting the Storm: Regenerating Leadership and Hope in the Age of Uncertainty.

This article sheds light on the crisis of leadership in the modern world, emphasizing that traditional leadership styles are no longer suited to the fast-paced, interconnected challenges of the 21st century. Ross argues that the leadership models established in the 20th century, rooted in control, certainty, and a "great leader" mentality, have become obstacles to progress.

Here are some key takeaways:

• Leadership Crisis: Traditional, control-oriented leadership styles are failing to address the interconnected challenges organizations face in the 21st century.
• Need for Holistic Thinking: To solve "wicked problems" like climate change and social inequality, leaders must adopt a more collective, holistic approach that transcends outdated paradigms.
• Adaptability and Collaboration: In the face of rapid change, leaders must adapt their mindsets and work collaboratively, moving away from the "great leader" model to a more distributed leadership approach.

You can read the full article for free on our website.

David Ross is the author of Confronting the Storm: Regenerating Leadership and Hope in the Age of Uncertainty.