Leaders are undoubtedly key players in any group, team or organisation – from the captain of a football team to the CEO of a global business. An excellent CEO can have a significant effect on the performance of an organisation. A poor CEO can drive the business into the ground. In the research and management literature of the past 30 years there has been a strong focus, even an obsession on the leader as the creator of all good or evil.
But what does ‘good’ and ‘poor’ mean in the context of leadership? And how do you know that you have got the right person?
Modern business is unrelenting. Just as you think you are clear about the way forward, the world changes and throws out your plans. So, what kind of leaders do you need to ‘future proof’ your organisation?
The answer is Leaders who Learn. You cannot keep up with the unrelenting pace of change in the modern business world without learning from:
- Mistakes – yours and others
- Other people including your competitors
- Other leaders.
How do you learn? By listening, asking questions, not always believing that you are right, by thinking through the implications of what you have heard. Finally by carrying out an appropriate analysis.
The old military concept of leadership emphasised taking command, being in control, charisma and devoted followers, prepared to lay down their life for their leader. Excellent business leaders still need to have vision, to inspire their employees, to pronounce their views with confidence and charisma. But these views need to be informed by what they have learned from listening, asking questions and thinking.
‘Many people would rather die than think. In fact, many do so.’ (Bertrand Russell, philosopher and teacher).
The leaders of today need to be excellent learners and thinkers as well as charismatic and visionary, inspiring confidence and demanding high performance. You might see charisma in a job interview but are unlikely to pick up on learning and thinking capability.
Hfi have been clarifying organisation success profiles and leadership requirements for over 35 years in the world’s top organisations and have seen how the requirements of leadership have changed. Our assessment system, PeopleFactors enables you to assess, analyse and develop leadership potential mapped to your organisation needs at 7 levels of management and leadership from the Technical Professional to the Enterprise Leader, different capabilities of the leaders are required as you go up the 7 levels.
We provide a report which integrates all the areas we assess, including intellectual ability and thereby identify their learning agility.
Call us or e-mail us if you want to know more about our approach to identifying leaders at all levels in your organisation.
T: 0207 831 3123 or email enquiries@hfi.com
