The New Demands of 21st Century Leadership
Perhaps the most frequently asked questions these days in boardrooms, corner offices, and business school classes is: What is leadership and how has it changed in the 21st century? There is little doubt that the business landscape has changed in the last two decades driven primarily by two forces: globalization and technology. Not surprisingly, these two market influences have directly impacted how heads of companies lead. The most notable change has been in what skills are believed to be necessary to lead a company. In previous generations, business leaders were chosen for their specific business acumen including their business-related knowledge and skill sets such as finance, marketing, or strategy. Pedigree and education also played a role in who was placed on the top floor of a company. In recent years though, there has been a shift toward less-tangible psychological, emotional, and people skills as prerequisites for leaders. Of course, the hard skills are still important—leaders still need to know the nuts and bolts of their business—but these knowledge sets have become, in my experience, necessary but not sufficient, for getting the key to the executive washroom. I have identified four such areas that have gained prominence in my work with senior management of companies around the world during the last decade.
Read MoreBuild a Positive and High-performing Sports Team Culture
Some sports are ready made for a discussion about the influence of team culture on individual and team performance. Team sports, such as basketball, football, and soccer, require that time and energy be devoted to building a culture that will lead to success. Without this discussion, the chances of a team being successful are small. Individual sports, however, often don’t give much attention to team culture despite the fact that most individual sports are built around a team structure, for example, track and field, ski racing, and tennis. The fact is that, for individual sports, the influence that individual athletes can have on a team, whether healthy or toxic, is just as important as in true team sports. Nor do we often think about how an individual sports team can have a significant effect on the performances of its individual members. Yet, have you ever been on a “downer” team? I’m talking about one that is permeated with negativity, unhealthy competition, and conflict. It sure doesn’t feel good and it can definitely interfere with your performing your best. Whether you are an athlete on a team or one of its coaches, you can have a big impact on how your team gets along, functions, and performs.
Read MoreLatest News: Taylor to appear on Fox Business News this evening
I’m going to be the lead interview on “Cavuto” on Fox Business News this evening at 8 pm Eastern Time. I will be discussing why people are afraid to get back into the stock market after the Great Recession.
Read MoreIs a Media-filled Life Leaving Your Children Unprepared for Real Life?
Beyond the specific areas in which you need to prepare your children for this crazy new world and, as I have shown, in which popular culture and technology is not helping you, there is an overriding way you can best ready your children for what lies ahead. You need to prepare them for life. You […]
Read MoreSki Racing: Think Now, So You Don’t Have to Think Later
I just returned from Zermatt where I spent a week working with a group of highly ranked U.S. tech skiers. After a few days, the feedback I was getting from them was that I was really getting into their heads and causing them to think a lot, in fact, to a few of them, a […]
Read MoreWhat it Takes to Get the “F&%# it” Attitude
I introduced you to the “F&%# it!” attitude in my last post. As I indicated in that post, if you can adopt this somewhat “out there” perspective, you will free yourself to pursue your life without fear or inhibition. But I have to tell you that the “f&%# it!” attitude doesn’t come easily. The fact […]
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