March 02, 2020
Two big challenges characterize leadership today. One is the need to juggle a growing series of paradoxical demands (do more with less; cut costs but innovate; think globally, act locally). The other is the unprecedented pace of “disruptive change,” which speeds up the interaction of these demands and simultaneously increases the pressure on organizations to adapt.
These challenges have significantly amplified the need for versatile leaders who have the ability to cope with a variety of changes and the wherewithal to resolve competing priorities. It is not an overstatement to say that versatility is the most important component of leading effectively today. Versatile leaders have more engaged employees and higher performing teams. Their business units are more adaptable and innovative. Their organizations are more capable of gaining a competitive advantage because they know how to disrupt before being disrupted.
https://hbr.org/2020/03/the-best-leaders-are-versatile-ones
Cultivate versatility by pursuing varied work experiences, by incorporating ongoing feedback, and by becoming a more well-rounded person. This does ring true, since it allows the developing leader to draw on a more diverse range of experience. This kind of thinking also fosters creativity in narrow problem-solving and vision in the broadest sense. Get new tools and get to know your tools in a variety of jobs! -MW-
Comments are closed