While much has been said and written about leadership, I am certain that we have not really scratched the surface of leadership. In fact, I believe that we are on the brink of the greatest leadership revolution in history. We have hit a critical time and tipping point in history. Now more than ever before the world needs revolutionary leaders. What is revolutionary leadership? Revolutionary leadership is leadership that is not based on theories and experiments. Revolutionary leadership is leadership that is driven by standards and models. In other words, leadership is less about what we say with our mouths and has more to do with what we model through our lives.
- We must stress character in leadership over talent. According to a study by MIT Sloan Management Review, organizations that fail to make hiring for and developing leaders of character a priority are missing an opportunity. In fact, one study found that organizations that had leaders with high character had nearly five times the return on their assets. In other words, I want to make it clear that principle-driven leadership is profitable to organizations. As a business strategist that consults leaders around the world, I am intrigued when I see organizations that are willing to pay top dollar for the greatest talent. However, these same organizations spend very little on ethics and accountability. What I know from decades of experience is that when you promote talent over character you undermine the success and sustainability of your organization. Talented leaders without character will cost the organization ten times the investment that was made in order to procure them. In essence, this era demands that we place a greater premium on character development and less emphasis on cultivating talent. Talent without principles will produce destructive and disempowered leadership.
- We must begin to examine the values of those that we place in key leadership positions. When I started out as a leader, I saw very talented people climbing the ladder quickly in their careers. They had undeniable talent but they have undefined values. While we could define values in many different ways, I want to define values as the underlying principles and standards that support the infrastructure of your life. According to Forbes, research reveals that organizations that are successful and have healthy growth understand the importance of shared values and vision. This same study reveals that without shared values and principles it is impossible to have authentic principles that guide the organizational vision and mission. In my work of training and developing leaders around the world, the first thing that I do with clients is take the time to clarify their values. Fundamentally, I deconstruct what they believe and discover how those values align with the mission and vision of the organization. Values are born from your convictions, guide your decisions and ultimately shape the course of your life. The absence of values will always result in a demoralized organization. Some say that they do not have the time to clarify values; however, I would say that you must take the time to clarify values among those that are leading in your organization. The cost of overlooking values and principles can be catastrophic to the sustainability of your organization.
- We must demand authenticity in leadership. At the time of this article, I have just gone through a major restructuring and rebranding of my organization. As the world has come through a global pandemic and we are experiencing uncertain economic conditions, I believe that this era demands leadership. However, this era does not demand just any kind of leadership. This era will demand authentic leadership. As I was reviewing data from Harvard Business School, I discovered that employee satisfaction is largely shaped by their perception of authentic leadership. In addition, the same research reveals that authenticity in leadership often leads to better relationships, greater trust, increased productivity and fosters a healthy working environment. In other words, authenticity not only benefits the leader but the organization as well. Years ago, when I started to introduce the concept of authentic leadership I could feel resistance and pushback. However, as times have changed I notice that organizations are much more open to the concept of authentic leadership. While many factors have contributed to my success, I believe that the audacity to show up authentically has contributed the most to my success. Authenticity has been a great advantage for me because people know exactly who I am, what I stand for and what I stand against. It takes courage to be authentic as a leader. You must have the ability to stand in the authentic truth of who you are even at the risk of being judged and misunderstood. When you model authenticity as a leader, you empower those around you to remove the masks, let down the defenses and dare to show up as the best and brightest versions of themselves.
- Revolutionary leaders are those that dare to make history. While I could say so much about leadership, I believe that what the world is crying out for is revolutionary leadership. As a respected thought leader, I have spoken at length about revolutionary leadership because the times that we live in demand it. What is a revolutionary leader? A revolutionary leader is a leader that challenges the status quo, raises the standard and dares to blaze new trails. In other words, revolutionary leaders are those that have decided which side of history they are going to be on. There are those that observe history and then there are those that make history. I decided a long time ago that I was going to make history. Ultimately, history will remember me because I am writing my place in history. As you shift your paradigm about leadership, you will begin to awaken to your leadership potential and make a significant contribution in your industry and your field. History is not made by those that settle for the bar of mediocrity. History is made by those that will raise the bar and unleash their greatest potential. Revolutionary leaders understand that within them are gifts, talents, skills, abilities, solutions and strategies that can transform industries, systems and nations. You are not waiting for a revolution. You are awakening to the fact that you are the catalyst for revolution. The world needs leaders ignited with vision and passion to bring change to industries, governments and nations.
Make Leader Character Your Competitive Edge
Mary Crossan
https://sloanreview.mit.edu/article/make-leader-character-your-competitive-edge/
5 Attributes (And Benefits) Of Values-Based Leadership
Gleeson
Authentic Leadership: What It Is & Why It’s Important: HBS Online
https://online.hbs.edu/blog/post/authentic-leadership
