I wrote this post originally for Shawn Murphy and Ted Coine, the brilliant minds behind the new Switch and Shift Blog. I wanted to share it with my readers as I believe you’re all pondering the Future of Leadership as well! Please share your insights about the future in the comments – the community learns so much when you share your ideas here. Thank you!
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In the same way the world as we know it is coming to an end, so too is leadership. As someone who has spent a good deal of time these last few years working with an energy healer – a genuinely empowering experience – I fully believe that what the planet is moving toward is not the “Armageddon” of the movies but rather an emergence into a higher level of human consciousness.
This isn’t what you expected when you clicked on this post, is it?
And yet, I believe it wholeheartedly based on what I’ve seen unfold these last few years. Formulaic and hierarchical approaches to leadership are no longer going to work in this new era. They’re no longer going to motivate followers to pursue your vision or inspire employees to work 12-hour days. Nor will employees of the future feel compelled to follow leaders who lack ethical standards or have a low EQ. They will have too many other choices.
Leadership of the future will come from within, be driven by purpose, and will find its foundation in a connection to the true inner self.
If this sounds like new-age mumbo-jumbo think again. The reason there are so many thriving MBA programs and leadership development courses out there is the innate belief (and possibly subconscious hope) that there is leadership potential within each and every one of us. I believe we are all here for a purpose – to lead something we’re passionate about. That doesn’t mean it will be how we generate our financial income, although it may be, but it will absolutely be how we fulfill the need for self-actualization in our lives.
Our inner knowing about what we’re meant to do in our life comes from connecting to our core – our soul. Time spent by future leaders of the world to truly know who they are and to connect with their higher purpose will lead to them pursuing roles that are an ideal fit for them. When we are in roles that are a perfect fit and that empower us to live our purpose, we work from within ourselves to create astounding results. So, those who think results are all that matter should take note, because in the future they won’t come via demands or through authority but rather from within each of us.
As my energy-healer friend wisely says, “Making money is about knowing who you are.” And as Glen Senk, CEO of the wildly successful retail company Urban Outfitters said in an interview with Knowledge Wharton, “You realize you have to take responsibility for doing what is right for you. You have to live a life you want to lead.”
Senk added that focusing on living what he called an “authentic” life has paid huge dividends. “A lot of my friends who went on to be very successful in investment banking or law or consulting … are not as happy as I am. There is not a day that I don’t wake up bounding out of bed and can’t wait to get to work.”
Being a great leader of the future will require looking within, connecting to your soul, knowing your purpose, and then living your purpose through an authentic life. What this means – and what’s genuinely exciting about this – is the potential for this greatness lies within each of us. Each one of us can, and should be, a leader of the future.
The question for each of us is: “Will we step up to the challenge?”
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10 Response Comments
Hi, Lisa. It did sound a bit like new-age mumbo-jumbo. But I read it all anyway because I trust you. 😉
I agree completely that each of us is here for a purpose. For many of us our purpose is to lead — in our businesses, in our communities, in our families, in our churches, sometimes in one or all of the above. But I’m not convinced that everyone is meant to lead. In an orchestra there’s only one conductor but many who create beautiful music.
Your advice is spot on, nevertheless: We all need to connect to our souls to learn what our purposes are. While not everyone is meant to lead, I agree that all who are meant to lead should know themselves and act according to that knowledge. That’s true today, I believe, and it’ll continue to be true in the future.
Larry, I’m honored to know that you trust me. The way I’m defining leadership includes leading by example – as a member of the orchestra or of the global community. So, I believe when you know yourself and your purpose, you lead by living that purpose in an exemplary manner, and by sharing the joy of your life’s purpose with others! Thank you so much for the thoughtful and insightful comment – and sorry it took so long to get back to you (I was on vacation). 🙂
While I agree that business is changing and it’s going to become more important for leaders to know who they truly are, I hesitate at the idea that “everyone” should be a leader. That puts a lot of pressure on people, especially the young. Some people don’t truly “discover themselves” into well into adulthood. And putting pressure on people to “learn who you are and what you want!” makes the experience stressful.
This article implies that no one can attain success or happiness without knowing who they are and spearheading some sort of crusade/project/company. And I don’t think that’s true.
Amy, thank you so much for letting me know this as that certainly was not my intent! As I mentioned to Larry, I think I’m viewing the idea of leadership with a much broader lens and a variety of ways to show it – not just in formal roles. And if there is added stress, it is much more difficult to truly connect with that inner purpose… Thanks again for sharing your perspective on this post!
I appreciate your courage to speak your heart – to make prophecy – and to put your online reputation at risk.
You are brave to speak what many consider to be the antiemetic language of existential nihilism or – worse- modern idolatry.
The world is pregnant with change – either for the better or for the worse. For whatever reasons. It can go either way and the choice is ours as individuals and as compassionate members of the human family.
Indeed, there is great need for leadership that emanates from love and glimmers with virtue. Who will step up? Who will follow? Faithful leaders and faithful followers are in greater demand – to be sure.
There is special complement to leadership too among those who follow. For following is as important as leading. And I see this as an even greater challenge than the need for new leadership. Most of us (myself included) are too proud, too stubborn, undisciplined, unfaithful, and lukewarm to collaborate with others on beautiful works that will make this a better world, a world of we.
Stan, I love the way you view it as a “world of we.” Very prophetic. Thank you for a truly insightful comment – you have me thinking!!
Thanks for sharing this, Lisa. You certainly speak to my purpose to inspire people to discover who they are at their most compelling so that they can live from their and go after their most fulfilled lives. Keep on inspiring people to be themselves by being you!
S.
That means a lot to me, Steve – and what a wonderful purpose you are living!
Thank you, Lisa! Enjoy some chocolate today 😉
Will be following you intently now that I’ve learned a bit more about you from your online presence. I think we’re on the same team contributing to a similar worthwhile movement bigger than any of us. Inspire on!
Love knowing we’re on the same team! And I have already enjoyed some chocolate…can’t seem to help it! Thank you so much, Steve!