The Challenge of Contemporary Leadership

The definition of leadership is to have inspired, energized followers. - Warren G. Bennis

Leadership used to be viewed as innate. Epitomized by heroic, Lone Ranger types, it was seen as a mystical blend of courage, charisma, and even a flair for the dramatic. But beyond those traits, to paraphrase Louis Armstrong, if you had to ask what leadership was, you'd never know.

Fortunately, we've all grown wiser--or at least, we've had the lesson drummed into us by a business climate that is increasingly competitive and volatile. Yes, leadership still calls for courage and decisiveness in the face of conflicting demands. For example, the ability to make trade offs between people, resources, money, and deadlines--often causing short-term pain for the sake of long term benefit--remains a vita element of effective leadership. But the changing structure of organizations, the growth of alliances and joint ventures between organizations, indeed, the changing nature of work itself--all call for more practical and diverse approaches to leadership.

ACTION POINT: Identify practical, courageous and diverse leadership approaches that will inspire and energize your team.