We live in a fast paced ever-changing world. Technological and societal developments are constantly driving us in new and unexpected directions, disruptor companies are springing up to challenge established norms, and areas such as sustainability and social conscience are increasingly coming to the fore. It would It would be reasonable to suppose therefore that leadership itself would have to be radically different in order to drive success in this volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous (VUCA) world.
Well actually, no! Admittedly leaders have a whole new suite of tools available to aid their leadership which they may not have had in times gone by, but the fundamental principles of great leadership haven’t changed. This is perhaps best illustrated by the fact that the sixth edition of The Leadership Challenge: How to make extraordinary things happen in organisations , a book which was first published in 1987, has just been shortlisted in the CMI management book of the year awards.*
Commenting on the achievement one of the book’s authors James M. Kouzes said:
“When you look at the business environment in 1987 compared to today, well, it looks like a different universe. Yet what we’ve found is that while the context of leadership has changed dramatically over the years, the content of leadership has not changed much at all.”
So if the principles of great leadership haven’t changed in over thirty years why is this article entitled leaders never stop learning? The answer is quite simple; the day on which a leader feels they have no more to learn and no more room to develop is the day on which they stop being a leader. Moreover, leaders don’t suddenly spring into existence at any level within an organisation. The skills and attributes and abilities of a great leader need to be honed and developed over time and in this context it’s never too early to start.
Quite simply, leadership is a journey and it is one which can start on the day you enter the world of work and which will carry you through your life. That journey will require you to build self-knowledge and to hone skills such as communication, delegation and understanding. It will require you to look inside yourself but it will also require you to look towards others, to help them to build their leadership skills as they help you build yours. Never forget that leaders don’t just sit at the top of organisations; they can be found at every level, influencing others by their actions and outlook.
As the authors of The Leadership Challenge comment: “Leadership is not about position or title. It’s not about organisational power or authority. Leadership is about relationships, about credibility, about passion and conviction, and ultimately about what you do.”
*http://yearbook.managers.org.uk/book/the-leadership-challenge/
