Change confronts leaders with disorienting situations and confusing challenges. Finding the best path through change can be unsettling for even the most level-headed leader.
Instead of waves of change, change has become the new constant. This makes planning and management increasingly difficult tasks. In his book, “Leadershift”, John C. Maxwell teaches readers how to change their leadership to continue to innovate, improve, and influence others in today’s dynamic world.
Adaptability
The three most desirable qualities of future leaders are the ability to motivate employees, the ability to work well across cultures, and the ability to facilitate change. These qualities depend on another vital trait – adaptability. This is one’s ability to change according to new circumstances. Adaptive leaders are not conformists. They have courage and confidence, heading in new directions and trying new approaches.
Learning, unlearning and relearning
Knowledge changes rapidly and requires constant updating. The more one knows about a topic, the more one realizes how much more there is to learn. As knowledge of a topic increases, one gains a more comprehensive understanding of the context.
Leadership change
Significant organizational achievements depend on the actions of many people, not just the actions of individual leaders. Therefore, individual attitudes must be replaced by a focus on others.
For people who want to become leaders in search of prestige, power and authority, the mindset shift comes when they focus on the contributions they can make. True leaders find their motivation in what they give to other people.
A change of attitude is needed for those who, in their desire to please and maintain good relations with others, feel the tendency to please people and by neglecting their own needs. Leaders must challenge the people they lead to achieve the best of which they are capable.
Transformational leaders achieve impact change. They inspire the people they lead to dream, educate and develop. Transformational leaders encourage the people they lead to become a positive influence in other people’s lives. They strive to provide a better future, inspire others with bold words, and are confident they can improve the world.
