C-Suite Blind Spots & Illuminations– Leadership Perception & Style

Blind Spot

Leaders, are they born or are they made? Some leaders will transcend the challenges of a new global reality and maintain leadership status while others will need to evolve to be reengineered or risk being exited.

With the current unprecedented challenges facing senior executives and top government officials today, many will need to self-examine their styles and abilities to reinvent themselves in order to successfully maintain their leadership role. Leadership is not a birth rite; it is earned not given. Due in part to instantaneous media and a short-term result driving headlines, your leadership role can be taken away at any moment.

Illumination

Rarely is anyone born into anything other than his or her family. CEO’s, senior executives, religious leaders, elite athletes, and top government officials are not born into those roles, they are shaped and molded over time and with effort. Yes, some leaders or athletes may be born with a charismatic personality, high intelligence, an ideal body type or uncanny ability, however, they still need to learn, forge, and hone those skills to earn and keep the leadership badge!

Not only are leaders dealing with local challenges and issues, then there’s global uncertainty of a magnitude never experienced before. Driven by a pandemic, global financial pressures, unprecedented levels of global unemployment, unimagined global trading partner tensions, world-wide supply chain logistical challenges and heightened racial tensions. These new pressures will test the existing styles of senior leader management and their ability to maintain their organization’s success or risk being replaced in favor of a leader who can adjust and adapt to meet the new world order.

Personally, I experience this kind of challenge every time I attempt to set a new world record.

I was pretty good as powerlifting and had some success, but breaking world records was new and uncharted territory, especially trying to set world records over the age of 50! To succeed at my vision and goals, I had to; humble myself, surround myself with a diverse group of people who each brought a different spoke to the wheel, be flexible, communicate progress and do it over and over again. In short, it worked!

The traits, abilities and styles that shaped many successful leaders to their current positions, will most likely not work in this new environment. Unfortunately, most leaders are not prepared for a global change of this magnitude as suggested by a Harvard University study. The study found that only 3% of a CEO’s time is spent on professional development and 1% on crisis management, clearly not enough training for the current seismic global shift.

Compounding the situation are studies by The Hay Group and Korn Ferry. These studies highlighted that an organization’s senior leaders are more likely to overate themselves as effective leaders and as they ascend through the organization, they are less likely to see themselves as others see them. Many leaders lose touch with those they lead due to the increased isolation of executive suite. They reach the pinnacle of their profession with few peers and greater power; less honest feedback and open dialogue becomes a rare commodity. In some cases, they become unteachable and lose patience.

The good news is these intelligent, creative, driven and successful individuals can change, if they choose to. An excellent example of this transformation is Steve Jobs. According to biographies on Steve Jobs, as Steve matured his management style shifted. Initially he lacked empathy, had poor communication skills, had no patience, and was intolerant of anything he viewed as failure. As he matured, and became a leader of global proportions, he changed lives and lifestyles globally! After his passing his name become synonymous with visionary, genius, innovator and icon. Apple’s success and his reputation would not be what they are today if Jobs had not refined his skills and reengineered himself into an adaptable leader.

In closing, remember not only do we have an uncertain, unpredictable world, but by 2025 75% of the global work force will be millennials. Previous/traditional styles of management and leadership may not work with a workforce demanding a type/style of leadership. Are you an adaptable leader?

Keys to Leadership Survival in an Uncertain Unpredictable World

First – 360 and self-assess yourself to reengineer your leadership style.

Then hone these Top 10 elements:

• Trust - your followers need to believe in you

• Collaboration – don’t dictate, have 2-way conversations with teamwork and partnerships

• Transparent – be honest with the facts

• Teachable – remain open and learn from others – this will increase your talents and value

• Flexible – be ready to adapt tactics quickly

• Urgency – move with quickly but be calm and rational

• Listen – really hear your team and be open to valuable criticism

• Experts – employ a diverse group of people and engage experts

• Trigger points – recognize and manage your blind spots

• Failure – do not be afraid to lose a few battles, its all about winning the war