Leaders facing extinction? Why leadership has to change…
We are living in a world where leadership challenges are accelerating exponentially, in terms of speed, complexity and interconnectedness. The interconnecting forces of a pandemic, a climate emergency, economic and political volatility, a fragile healthcare system, AI and technological advancements are impacting us all, as individuals, as organisations and as a society. In order to survive leaders require new ways of thinking, acting and being.
To face the scope of these twenty first challenges leaders must develop higher levels of consciousness and intelligence to impel the power of collective wisdom and impactful collaboration. Leaders need to lead not only with a strategic thinking brain but with emotional and relational intelligence.
“The key leadership challenge of our time is to shift the inner place from which we operate. As individuals, as teams, as institutions, and as societies we all face the same issue: that doing more of the samewont fix flawed and failed systems. We have to leave behind our old tools and behaviours and immerse ourselves in the places of most potential. We have to listen with our minds and hearts wide open, and then connect with our deep sources of knowing and self.” Otto Scharmer
There are no easy answers to complex problems so how devising ways of tapping into the power of the collective is front of mind for most leaders. Research into what makes effective teams is well documented; shared purpose, goals, complimentary skills and roles and connection. (Katzenbach & Smith, 1993), as an example.
In my experience of working with teams over the years, the most difficult element to master well is connection. They way teams relate to each other and relate to the forces impacting them presents a huge opportunity and a threat to our survival.
Leaders require a new ways of thinking, acting and being. We need to shift the nature of our awareness to systemic relationships.
So what are the components of relational intelligence?
Here are 5 key elements of a relationally aware leader:
• Connectedness – a whole-hearted presence and advocacy for each other and the wider system
• Deep democracy – ensuring every voice and perspective is heard without judgement
• Wide angled empathy – a focus of attention and appreciation that goes beyond our immediate vantage point
• Reflexivity – a commitment to reflecting inwards on actions, feelings, judgments and beliefs
• Beginners mind – embodies an openness and commitment to learning in the flow of life
There is no doubt that value is created and lost in human, organisational and societal interconnections and interdependencies and our survival depends on recognising and nurturing the connections. Instinctively and intellectually, leaders cannot afford to keep pedalling faster and harder on the same trajectory. The damage is palpable.
