3 Ways to Make Sure You Aren't Derailed as a Leader

We are experiencing unprecedented changes in the world.  Businesses are more challenged than ever before, and it feels like there has been a sudden and profound interruption in business continuity. I call this The Edge.

At the edge-our moments of greatest challenge-we often feel like we are losing control and are unable to see a clear path to success . It's a crossroads we arrive at when we are faced with decisions too difficult to make, when our resources are few, and our old approaches no longer produce results that yield success. Our energy feels depleted, we discover pockets of insecurity, and we are afraid to let others in.

At the edge, we can turn away from others and try to handle the challenges from our own vantage point, or we can turn to others for help.  Old-style leadership suggests that a leader should have the answers and direct and guide the organization to solutions. Old-style leaders expect solutions to come from the top of the organization and be given to the employees for implementation. New-style leadership says that a leader doesn't have all the answers, and therefore needs to learn how to involve the entire organization in successfully coming up with the strategies for success. I call this new inclusive approach "We-Centric" Leadership .

ASK YOURSELF - What Kind of Leader Am I?

    -When you don't know what to do do you become arrogant?
    -Do you always need to be the center of attention?
    -What does vulnerability look like to you?
    -When was the last time you were vulnerable and welcomed direction?
    -Do loved ones and co-workers tell you that you are stubborn and
     controlling?
    -When people criticize you, do you punish them for their honesty?
    -Do you really listen , or while you are talking do you metally prepare how 
     you are going to defend yourself?

GETTING TO WE

We-Centric Leaders come from diverse industries around the world. These wonderfully insightful executives realize that "we" is the most powerful ingredient for growing companies. They know how inclusive behaviors and attitudes can radically shift the power dynamics in a company, thereby positively influencing productivity and quality. We-Centric Leaders are tuned into what happens when people feel disconnected, rejected and alone. They understand that behaviors such as rebellion, resistance and conflict are often signs that the bonds of trust are broken among people and must be reconnected.

This new leadership is based on inclusivity, and this new breed of leader will no longer tolerate separateness and silos. They instinctively know that we do our best work when we feel connected, and thus they create ways for employees to interconnect and work synergistically. Organizations value and reward these leaders because they bring a new type of power and prosperity wherever they go. They create incredible positive changes in how work gets done, changes that shift energy in profound ways and draw out the talent and wisdom of their employees to create extraordinary business results. At the start of the 21st century, these new- style leaders are redefining the nature of organizations and are shifting the fabric of the workplace.