Leading through an era of exponential change demands a new kind of leadership. This leadership style requires leaders to embrace ambiguity, live with paradox, and build resilience. Leaders must recognise that the world is not a predictable, ordered place but is complex and unpredictable. This requires a shift from linear thinking to exponential thinking, where change is not incremental but rapid and disruptive.
Embracing ambiguity means leaders need to be comfortable with uncertainty and be able to make decisions without having complete information. Living with paradox involves being able to hold two opposing ideas in mind and still function effectively. Building resilience is about developing the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties and adapt to change.
Leaders also need to create an organisational culture that supports these behaviours. This includes encouraging curiosity, fostering diversity, and promoting psychological safety. Curiosity allows for exploration of new ideas and approaches. Diversity brings different perspectives and experiences, enhancing decision-making and problem-solving. Psychological safety enables team members to take risks without fear of punishment.
Finally, leaders need to develop a learning mindset. This involves being open to new ideas, willing to take risks, and able to learn from failure. It also includes seeking feedback and using it to improve. In an era of exponential change, the ability to learn and adapt is crucial for success.
Go to source article: https://hbr.org/2020/10/what-it-takes-to-lead-through-an-era-of-exponential-change