The evolution of leadership
As with every other aspect of the near future, the ideas and concepts that underpin the notion of leadership will evolve. The new leaders, the Navigators, will need to take personal responsibility. This requires a new set of skills. The list of these skills looks very different from those that were important in the twentieth century.
• Future creation through anticipation and weak signal scanning.This is the process of defining the future direction from a foresight, future-maker perspective while at the same time identifying current indicators of the changing future.
• Attending to the self. In times of high external uncertainty, high internal certainty is valuable. Activities that increase confidence in one’s skills, de-stressing and lifestyle balance are important.
• Fluidity in thinking. The new leadership requires openness of thinking. Being open to new ideas and being prepared to challenge one’s own success is critical in a fast changing world. Look to put yourself often into situations where such challenging occurs.
• Having a global village mentality. Leaders must be able to contemplate the scope of situations that face them. In this world that is always global, there are few barriers to connectivity and competitiveness.
• New mental models for new rhythms. The new rhythms require us to think differently. If we can anticipate the likely shape of the near future we will have a filter to qualify opportunities and to create new roads to value.
