For many, defining and identifying effective leadership traits is much like a trip to Baskin Robbins. There are so many flavors to choose from. You immediately rule out a handful that just don’t work for your taste. Then you put aside the flavors that are tried and true. Now, things get tricky. You try to imagine what those other flavors might taste like and are you willing to take a chance on them. After tasting a few of the more risky flavors and ruling them out, you narrow things down. The conundrum then becomes do to take a chance on those new flavors that your tongue is unfamiliar with or do you stick with the tried and true flavors you set aside at the beginning. Identifying leadership traits is much like picking an ice cream. Do you go with tried and true or do you take a risk on a something that sounds appealing, but your unfamiliar?
Leadership Traits That Appeal
The world of business and leadership are fluid and ever-changing environments. Leadership traits that worked 20 or 30 years ago just no longer fit into the current global arena. According to a recent Harvard Business Publishing report, there are 8 critical traits future leaders must possess:
- Managing Complexity – Being able to solve complex problems and make decisions in a fast paced environment.
- Managing Global Business – Knowing your place and function in the global market is crucial to success.
- Strategic Action – Today’s leaders must be nibble on their feet, thinking strategically and quickly respond to unexpected challenges and changing markets.
- Champion Innovation – Must be an emphasis on innovation and constant focus on taking thing to the next level.
- Leverage Networks – Must be collaborative in efforts with customs, suppliers and even competitors.
- Inspire Engagement – Inspire their workforce to be engaged and contributing to the forward momentum of the organization.
- Adaptability – Look at things constantly with fresh eyes. The mentality of ‘that’s how we have always done it’ is out!
- Learning Agility – Leaders must constantly be evolving, learning and developing.
