The subject of the changing paradigm is both dynamic and complex and it will be foolhardy in even trying to attempt a simple Friday Post. I am compelled to do so only because it is time to change tracks from traditional leadership thinking established by earlier generations to emerging concepts being introduced my later ones. This is changing fast – I start with a simple insight.
My son, now 27, belongs to the Millenia generation. Years ago, when he embarked on his driving lessons, he struggled with the concept of the clutch-pedal synchronisation. On my part, true to my Baby Boomer mindset, I believed that it was a matter of time – one learns the hard way as we all have. I soon realised that it was not his struggle but a rebellion against the very concept of the clutch-pedal thing. His funda was crystal clear – if the future is automatic transmission why struggle? I observed his continued resistance that infuriated me at first but then came the Ah-ha moment. I realised he was right. The rest was easy, the moment he started on an automatic car he picked up right away, got his license and is driving away!
This is the FIRST changing paradigm. The concepts and competencies of leadership that were born in the Baby Boomer generation and are still being tinkered with to apply to the current age and environment. We continue to quote thinkers and thought leaders and tinker with concepts that were set up then. “Relationship building” or “Integrity” as a leadership competency, of the 1980s and 90s is different from what they are in the 2010s and 20s. There are several factors for this. It may come as no surprise to you if I mentioned the two primary factors. First is the fact that information and knowledge is now free. Knowledge is no longer power. Leadership concepts in the past forced this lack of free-flowing information and knowledge and fostered the establishment of a hierarchical structure to leadership. Today, that is lateral. Much younger people are starting up and becoming leaders in their own right. The second of course if Technological advancements and artificial intelligence. Just taking a leaf out of my story narrated tells me that technology offers shorter cuts and that influences thinking, much deeper than we imagine!
The SECOND changing paradigm is climate change. The impact is onerous, and the younger generation can no longer think of it as a “good to have”. It is a “must have” since very survival of the generations ahead depends on it. Fear is always key and impacts the way we think. People in positions of authority and power today (some, not all, of them leaders!) continue to show complete disdain at the consequences of the Australian bush, the Artic and the US west coast fires, or the rapid melting of the polar ice. This reality of creating a sustaining future rather than thinking about the next quarter results is a huge shift in leadership thinking. Rajeev Peshawaria, Founder President of Leadership Energy Consulting, deals with some of these changing paradigms in his book “Open Source Leadership”. This is a must read to get insights into WHY and HOW the whole approach to leadership is undergoing a tectonic shift.
What is written here is just the tip of the iceberg. That iceberg is melting fast, and we need to adapt to this change very quickly. So think hard while I start writing the prescription!
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/my-friday-post-untold-stories-11-changing-leadership-paradigm-bapat
