The Collaborative Leader
This one is fairly self-explanatory but is still worthy of mentioning as a central facet of strong leadership in the modern era. In the past, leadership tended to be less flexible and open to new ideas - it's changed a lot - but you still see it. There are still companies that have a rigid, top-down approach to leadership.
The best companies though, those most suited to the times of change, have much more collaborative leadership. A more collaborative approach offers the ability to deploy changes more rapidly; it encourages more task-, project- and solution-oriented approaches, and it empowers the very people within the business to help drive it forwards. This flatter structure still needs strong leadership – a strong vision and company ethos helps make sure that everyone is pulling in the same direction.
The Cultural Leader
Fostering a Culture of Inclusion is not just the right thing to do, it is the best thing to do. And here is why. Different views, life experiences, and backgrounds keep a company dynamic. In an open and collaborative environment, they can offer that all important edge. There’s no real argument that a more diverse team brings better results. It also creates a better working environment and a happier workforce, which in turn attracts more talent to the organisation.
Implementing a culture of inclusion is about more than operating within regulations concerning race, religion, age and gender. There are some truths about inclusivity that may be uncomfortable – those concerning unconscious bias, for example. Taking a positive approach to inclusion that comes from the very top, the leaders of the organisation, is vital to creating a truly inclusive environment. My colleague Kevin Carpenter recently posted a blog on this topic which is an excellent read: How to Tell Whether Your Company Values Diversity and Inclusion.
