Where next for leadership trends?
We've evolved from traditional approaches to embrace modern imperatives such as:
Emotional Intelligence (EQ)
Attunement and relational methodologies
Compassion
Transformational leadership
Ethical practices
Authenticity
Servant leadership
Collaboration
Coaching
Trauma-informed
Person-centred.
Rather than see these as isolated trends jostling for superiority, a modern practice encompasses these aspects within an underpinning approach.
So what's next?
Where I'm taking my practice and what I espouse in my leadership development methodology is a practice of balance. No, not the bland and boring middle-ground - but a bringing together of plural strengths to create a new language of leadership that we can clearly and tangibly define.
What is a balanced approach?
A balanced practice takes the best of traditional leadership approaches:
Candour
Challenge
Decisiveness
Vision and direction
Mentorship
Recognition of the business's needs
Discipline and accountability
Concern for people and production.
Lose the parts that no longer serve:
Hierarchy
Patriarchy
Leaders with 'Better knowledge'
Leading by hypocrisy: 'Do as I say, not as I do'
Male the 'hero of the corporate epic'
'Keep things vague to keep things comfortable'
Leadership of threat and fear: 'Keep peoples' feet close to the fire'.
And bring in approaches that understand the brain and relationships at work:
Effective praise and feedback
Understanding of personal preferences
Ability to look in multiple directions
Embodied leadership
Data-driven analysis
Understanding of relationship dynamics
Situational awareness
Performance managed consistently, clearly and fairly
Clear job roles and responsibilities
Hold accountability
Coaching approaches
Effective staff engagement and meaningful involvement.
