This article is excerpted from the first chapter of Bobbie LaPorte’s new leadership book, When the Curveballs Keep Coming: A Leadership Playbook for an Uncertain World.
There is no question that the requirements for strategic leadership are changing in an uncertain environment. In the past, leaders could rely on being experts in a specific functional area.
We were chosen and advanced in the organization for our functional expertise, because we directed people what to do and because we delivered results. We learned through time that we are the ones that need to be unfazed by change, that we need to be the ones walking down the hallways erect, purposeful, in control of our environment.
We knew our stuff, gave directives to our teams and relied on our personalities and charisma to be efficient. Today’s requirements are very different. Less importance is placed on subject matter knowledge, more on self-knowledge and awareness, on being open to multiple perspectives, to having the capacity to envision and articulate where we want to lead our teams to be effective.
In my experience, few leaders have acknowledged this level of change in what it means to lead thought uncertainty; fewer have taken steps to build the new skills needed to lead in this time.
There is no doubt: the mindset and skillset changes required to evolve into today’s new leader are significant. I have seen this in many of my client companies where, even though technology continues to drive change in their work environment, people struggling with constant change and uncertainty get stuck. They are afraid to make decisions and move forward. They hit the virtual “pause” button, waiting for certainty to return.
We see how uncertainty can put us on the defense, avoiding risk instead of embracing opportunity. Uncertainty can definitely throw us off our game: we give in, then we give up. But uncertainty can also be a gift, because it allows us to look at challenges from a place of “what can be”, not a place or resignation.
How will you embrace uncertainty – and see it as a way to help your teams realize what is truly possible in this age of uncertainty?
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Bobbie LaPorte draws on the sciences of positive psychology, neuroscience and behavioral fitness to help challenged executives navigate today’s uncharted territory to achieve their goals. Learn how our approach can transform your people, your processes, and your entire organization—and help you get ready for anything!
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