What should we be teaching leaders to prepare for the future?
It’s a question I’ve been asked by companies around the world. Organizations and leaders realize the world is changing rapidly and that it will take new skills and habits to lead in the future of work. But identifying those skills and mindsets can be challenging.
I interviewed more than 140 of the world’s top CEOs for my book, The Future Leader. From their insights, I put together what I call the Notable Nine–the top four mindsets and five skills future leaders must master.
Mindsets
- Global Citizen. Global Citizens think globally and embrace diversity. Leaders need to understand and appreciate new cultures, seek out diverse teams, lead employees with different backgrounds, and know how to enter and succeed in global markets.
- Servant. The servant mindset means that you practice humility and serve four groups: your leaders, your customers, your team, and yourself.
- Chef. Just like chefs balance numerous ingredients, leaders must balance the two most important ingredients of any business: humanity and technology. That means embracing technology while providing a sense of purpose and caring for human employees.
- Explorer. Future leaders need to be like explorers of old and embrace the unknown. They need to be open to new ideas and able to change course as the world evolves.
Skills
- Coach. Great coaches motivate, inspire, and engage their teams while caring about each member as an individual. Likewise, future leaders need to appreciate employees as individuals instead of viewing everyone as just workers.
- Futurist. Futurists make sure organizations aren’t surprised by what the future might bring. The world is constantly changing and full of unknowns. Futurists consider multiple scenarios and think through new possibilities.
- Technology Teenager. Leaders don’t need to be experts in new technology, but they should embrace it and know how to best leverage technology to serve their company. They need to be tech-savvy and digitally fluent.
- Translator. Translators are master communicators. They are active listeners and know the best channels to cut through the noise and deliver their messages.
- Yoda. Future leaders need to be emotionally intelligent like Yoda and develop self-awareness. Great leaders aren’t afraid to be vulnerable and showcase empathy to see things from other people’s perspectives.
The Notable Nine summarizes the most crucial skills and mindsets for future leaders. If you can master these skills and mindsets, you’ll be prepared to lead in the next decade and beyond.
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