“The single biggest way to impact an organization is to focus on leadership development. There is almost no limit to the potential of an organization that recruits good people, raises them up as leaders and continually develops them.” – John Maxwell
The world is changing and so are the expectations of leadership. What worked in the past is no longer relevant or enough for the workplace today. In the coming years, the business landscape will look completely different. The leaders of the future will need to adopt a new set of skills to effectively lead in new times. Regardless of the circumstances, successful leaders are the ones who have the courage to embrace change and open to learning new skills and grow.
Several disruptive forces will impact the future of business and leadership. The changes can result in challenges for leadership. However, as with all challenges there are also opportunities for growth. Read on to learn about the opportunities for growth within the constantly evolving business world.
Expanding Technology
Technology is evolving fast and is rapidly changing the way organizations work. Internet of Things, Cloud infrastructure, artificial intelligence, and machine learning are expected to be top technology trends. According to Grant Thornton’s 2019 International Business Report, 42% of leaders feel the rise of the digitally connected world to be the biggest change, followed by AI and big data (40%), and then automation and robotics (35%). Looking forward, leaders must be open to new technology while also helping to dispel fears around technology replacing human employees.
Increased Globalization
Technology is facilitating globalization which mean that the world is becoming more connected than ever before. Organizations and businesses are no longer limited by a geographical boundary but are now able to work and communicate with people from all over the globe. Modern businesses have customers around the world and the pool of talent available is ever-increasing. The leaders of the future will have to embrace and appreciate cultural diversity to benefit their organizations and make a better impact.
Leadership Skills for the Future
The skills and capabilities required for effective leadership in the future will continue to evolve. In recent years, leaders have learned the necessity of quality social and emotional skills. They’ve learned that having emotional intelligence is not simply an option, but a necessity. Emotional intelligence is the ability to understand and regulate your emotions and manage the effect on others. Future leaders are expected to be emotionally intelligent with traits like empathy, compassion, and better listening ability. It will help leaders better communicate with a diverse staff.
Leaders will also need to be adaptable in a constantly changing world. Adapting to the changes in industry will help business leaders increase profits by adjusting operations and processes for modern times. The future workplace will be more diverse and inclusive and leaders will need to have a good understanding of how to manage diversity at organizations. It is important to create a work environment that addresses the needs of a diverse staff.
As workplaces become more dependent on technology and robots, leaders will have to foster collaboration and support and encourage employees to continuously improve skills. Last but not the least leaders will need motivational skills to keep their teams and staff positive through any challenges.
“If you want to build a ship, don’t drum up the men to gather wood, divide the work, and give orders. Instead, teach them to yearn for the vast and endless sea.” — Antoine de Saint-Exupéry,
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About Debi
Debi is a coach to high performers, leaders and business owners wanting to achieve more and grow beyond what they believe is possible. Known for her clarifying insight and a pragmatic approach, Debi brings her clients to the next step by asking the right questions during strategy development and supporting them during strategy implementation. With experience in management, recruitment and employee development for various industries, she has a wide scope of expertise and will confidently guide you towards a successful future in your career.