In this permanently changed world of continuous transformation, globalisation and the information age, the traditional leadership practices that have been in place for years are no longer effective.
What worked for Baby Boomers and Generation X – authoritarian or, at best, paternal leadership styles, along with hierarchical and non-diverse organisations, doesn’t work in the new world.
Traditional leaders are now being challenged by an up and coming generation of Millennials and Generation Z, with very different expectations, needs and ambitions than previous generations – and they are making new demands on leadership. Whereas previous generations wanted recognition and career opportunity above all else from their bosses, Millennials want fairness and ethical behaviour – profit, efficiency, and growth alone are not enough. This means leaders need to be ethical and authentic, and able demonstrate a combination of spiritual, rational and emotional intelligence – and that organisations themselves need to be people-centred, ethical and sustainable too.
Building on the concept of Transpersonal Leadership, as defined by LeaderShape Global, Leading Beyond the Ego offers a practical approach to becoming an authentic, ethical, caring and more authentic leader of the future. Many leaders believe change and improvement is affected by changing processes, structures and other people, rather than proactively continuing to develop themselves. The book addresses this challenge and the reality that, in this new world, sustainable change starts with each individual leader being willing to adapt their own behaviour. Topics addressed include:
- How leaders can learn to increase their own self-awareness and implement new behaviours to optimise their own performance
- How to make decisions that are not for a leader’s own benefit, but for all the stakeholders and the Greater Good – and how to handle power, prestige, recognition and reward
- The value of neuroscience of leadership, enabling us to understand how the brain works, “why” we behave the way we do, and how personal performance and leadership skills can be improved
- The role of women and attitudes towards all forms of diversity and inclusion
- Different, more effective ways of developing an individual’s potential using Work-Based Learning that provides the environment, techniques and tools, so that people can learn rather than be told.
A great deal is written about what good leadership is, but little written about how an individual goes about becoming a better leader. Leading Beyond the Ego fills this gap and is an essential read for anyone in a position of leadership in the 21st century, from current to aspiring senior leaders, to HR professionals, executive coaches and mentors.
