Business Results Advanced. Units 10-12. Leading the future. Video 05

Summary

The traditional belief that leaders are born, not made, is debunked in this video. While some view leadership as a set of innate traits like charisma, the reality is that leadership can be cultivated through behaviors, skills, and roles. In today's complex and changing world, everyone has the potential to lead. Leadership now requires adaptability, collaboration, and influence across all levels, rather than relying on a rare, natural gift. The challenge is to foster creativity, initiative, and passion in our roles, viewing work as an opportunity for personal fulfillment and growth.

Takeaways

• 😀 The traditional view that leaders are born, not made, is being challenged.
• 😀 Leadership has often been compared to athletic talent, suggesting that only a select few have the innate qualities to lead.
• 😀 Charisma has historically been seen as an essential, inborn trait for leadership, which cannot be learned or taught.
• 😀 This traditional view implies that only a small number of people are 'destined' to lead, which is increasingly outdated.
• 😀 In today's complex and rapidly changing world, leadership is not reserved for the few but is accessible to everyone.
• 😀 Leadership should be understood as a set of behaviors, skills, and roles, not just inherent traits.
• 😀 The future of work requires individuals at all levels to develop leadership skills, including analysis, influence, motivation, and resource allocation.
• 😀 No role in the future workplace will be untouched by leadership skills, except for basic roles that may be automated.
• 😀 The modern leadership challenge is for individuals to unlock their potential for creativity, initiative, and passion.
• 😀 Leadership is not just about fulfilling job responsibilities; it should align with personal purpose and fulfillment in the workplace.

Q & A

What is the traditional view of leadership?

The traditional view of leadership holds that leaders are born, not made. It suggests that, like elite athletes such as Usain Bolt, leaders possess innate qualities or traits that cannot be learned or developed.

Why is charisma often seen as an essential leadership trait?

Charisma is viewed as essential because it is often considered a divine gift, something a leader either has or does not have. It's believed that without this quality, someone cannot lead effectively.

How does the traditional view of leadership relate to the idea of top-flight athletes like Usain Bolt?

The traditional view compares leaders to top-flight athletes, like Usain Bolt, who are believed to be born with the physical qualities needed to excel. Similarly, it suggests that only a select few are born with the traits necessary for leadership.

What is the problem with the traditional view of leadership in today's world?

The problem with the traditional view is that it doesn't account for the complex and uncertain nature of modern environments. Today's rapidly changing world demands a broader range of skills and behaviors from leaders, not just inherent traits.

What does the script suggest about leadership in the context of a changing world?

The script suggests that leadership should be seen as a set of behaviors, skills, and roles that can be learned and developed. It emphasizes that leadership is required at all levels, especially in complex, uncertain environments.

Why is it important for organizations to cultivate leadership at all levels?

It is important because organizations in the future will require everyone to be capable of skills such as analysis, influencing others, and resource allocation. Leadership is not confined to top positions but is necessary across all roles to drive success.

How does the script redefine leadership?

The script redefines leadership as a set of behaviors, skills, and roles that anyone can develop. It is not solely about personal traits but about the ability to influence, motivate, and manage change.

What will future organizations require from their members in terms of leadership?

Future organizations will require all members to be capable of analyzing their environment, influencing others, acting as figureheads, managing resources, and motivating teams—skills that go beyond traditional leadership roles.

What is the leadership challenge for individuals in the future?

The leadership challenge for individuals will be to escalate their personal capabilities in creativity, initiative, passion, and influence. It's about seeing work as intrinsic to personal purpose and fulfillment, not just a 9-to-5 job.

How might automation affect leadership roles in the future?

Automation is likely to impact the most basic roles, which could become automated. However, leadership roles, which require complex human behaviors like motivation and decision-making, will remain vital and require further development.