A confluence of extraordinarily bad circumstances notwithstanding, few would argue 2009 was a banner year for leadership—least of all the folks at AchieveGlobal.
That’s why the Tampa, FL-based global workforce consulting firm commissioned “Developing the 21st Century Leader,” a newly released study intended to serve as a blueprint for the successful…er, 21st Century leader.
Based on a survey of 971 business and government leaders and employees in Europe, Asia, and North America, the study identified six practices (“zones,” in their parlance) that future leaders will need to master in order to attain success. To tackle each in turn:
1. Reflection. Just like any other, thinking, breathing human being, your decision-making ability is influenced by your motives, beliefs, attitudes, and actions. There’s nothing inherently wrong with that…provided you’re aware of that influence, and attuned to when it’s leading you astray.
2. Society. Individual and group well-being are obviously high priorities, but that’s no excuse to neglect “higher-minded” principles like fairness, respect, and the greater good.
3. Diversity. No, this isn’t something merely to pay lip service to. As a leader of the future, it’s paramount to respect—and embrace—differences in gender, ethnicity, age, nationality, and belief.
4. Ingenuity. Want to create that much-ballyhooed “climate where innovation can thrive” in your own company? Easy: Lead by example. Develop and execute practical ideas of your own, then encourage others in your organization to do the same.
5. People. A title alone doesn’t command respect. It’s only when you connect with others on the human level that you earn loyalty and create honest-to-goodness motivation.
6. Business. The true no-brainer of the list. After all, as a leader, you’re tasked first and foremost with delivering bottom-line results. Your two-pronged approach for doing so is remarkably straightforward, yet depends entirely on your know-how and mettle: namely, developing successful strategies and effectively manage the efforts of those reporting you.
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