“A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.”
There has been a strong focus on leaders and leadership from the beginning. This region has always fascinated me, but I wonder why. Despite much research, what qualifies a person as a leader still needs to be determined.
Whether leaders are created or born is also up for dispute.
When faced with a leadership crisis, the legends of leadership frequently turned to their past successes to draw lessons.
For example, when faced with difficulties, several American presidents turned to statesmen like Abraham Lincoln and George Washington. This assisted them in overcoming the obstacles and learning lessons.
Here, whether or not what has worked in the past will continue to work in the future emerges. Yes and no are the answers to this. It seems odd. Let’s examine the same.
Just as people’s fundamental characteristics never change, neither does the idea of leadership.
Leadership must also adapt to surface-level changes in times and technologies in order to remain effective and relevant for future survival.
For example, modern leadership emphasizes “collaboration and partnering” rather than the old “command and control” model. It is on the exterior. On the other hand, fundamental characteristics like influence, example, and character don’t change.
Thus, let’s examine a few prospective leaders that combine elements of the past, present, and future.
Markers of the Future for Leaders
Emerging lessons from this will help us effectively engage in future conflicts. We must conclude our mistakes.
As a leader, you must begin removing barriers. Recognize your shortcomings and keep going. You ought to keep your flaws hidden from others.
You must always present a brave face. Leaders must set an example for others to follow.
Let’s take a quick look at a couple more:
As Norman Schwarzkopf stated, “Good character is the main ingredient of good leadership.” Character is the key to effective leadership cause behavior is a necessary component of leadership based on values.
- Always consider the big picture.
- Take in everything and share your thoughts.
- It may sound unusual, but the best way to guarantee your success and survival is to become friends with your adversaries.
- Reach your objectives at a cost that makes sense
- In the end, personal power—rather than positional power—is what matters.
- Highlight each person’s thoughts and concerns.
- Since yesterday’s rivals are today’s collaborators, there are no rivals—only collaborators.
- Take lessons from challenging circumstances.
- Instead of using force, use soft power.
upcoming leaders
Future leaders need to be a combination of planners, teachers, and doers. They must ease their employees’ capacities and competencies and give their personnel more authority.
Because of the significant changes in the leadership landscape, what has worked in the past may not work in the future.
Winston Churchill, for example, was a hero in the war but a poor leader in the peace.
Every generation has to transfer information to the one after it for the subsequent generations to survive and avoid committing mistakes. There is always a transition of leadership from one generation to the next.
The younger generation keeps the traditional values that form the foundation while simultaneously learning and embracing the new ideas that rise to the top.
A Message for Home
Helen Keller is credited with saying, “Life is a succession of lessons which must be lived to be understood.”
It is known that while times and technology change, human nature’s guiding principles and values remain constant.
Making superficial changes to address upcoming issues without sacrificing morality and basic beliefs is necessary.
Today’s and tomorrow’s leaders must adapt their approaches and mindsets to changing circumstances to differentiate themselves from the crowd and fly like eagles.
