What comes to mind when we think of the concept of leadership? What characteristics define a good leader today? Are they the same as they were decades ago? Historically, society has associated with leadership a series of attributes that were not always positive and that detracted from this primordial figure. A leader could be seen as someone who tended to be too tough, too self-assured when confronted with facts that contradicted what he or she believed, and not sufficiently open to new visions and paradigm shifts. Today, new ways of leading teams and organizations are emerging that are much more adapted to what society demands and needs.
The humble leadership is already here.
Living with and adapting to change is already the bread and butter of many people. Organizations and companies are no exception and have been evolving for some time. Moreover, events such as the Covid-19 pandemic have only accelerated these changes. Humility, values, social vision, diversity and inclusion are part of the DNA of today's and tomorrow's leaders. Aware of the business and organizational dimension, but also of the social dimension, the humble leader appears ahead of outdated ways of doing things.
Humility, values, social vision, diversity and inclusion are part of the DNA of the leader of today and tomorrow.
What is this new leadership based on?
Accessibility and humility
What happens around us affects us, and the impact generated will sometimes be positive, but sometimes negative. In the latter case, and especially in the face of obvious adversity, it makes little sense to be impassive and pretend nothing is happening. This attitude can endanger not only the person who carries it out, but also the team or the organization he or she leads. Admitting that you are facing adversity and showing what it causes or accepting that you don't have the answer to everything should be understood as a sign of strength, rather than weakness. This will help the people around us to understand what we experience and think and to empathize with us.
Values and social vision
Thinking only in terms of a single group of people is a thing of the past. A social vision and the values that go with it are becoming increasingly important, understanding that we are part of a community and that we have many things to say to face the challenges that we all face, such as sustainability. Society values and expects everyone to be able to do their bit to overcome major challenges such as this.
Inclusion and promotion of diversity
Leading a team should be synonymous with making sure that no one is left behind and everyone has a say. Surrounding oneself with people who are afraid to express opinions that do not conform to the established framework or who are unable to bring new visions to the table will damage all parties in the long run. This new model of leadership will focus on striving to create an environment of healthy debate and exchange of ideas, where people feel comfortable and can demonstrate their full potential by bringing new ideas and expressing any doubts that may arise. Being humble, caring about social values or including everyone is now considered essential. This new reality will serve to positively impact not only ourselves, our team or the organization, but also society as a whole.
