LEADERSHIP POST COVID; NOT A FORMULA OR MODEL

Still a valid concept and now watch out for our own roadmap for you to take the first steps in becoming an outstanding leader

Don't bother reading this article if…

You believe you can become a great leader by reading posts on LinkedIn or Facebook.

Read this if…

You have the potential to be a better leader than you are today.

Q: What does it take to be a great leader post Covid?

A: The truth is no one knows.

A bold statement, given the number of posts from learned individuals, major consulting firms and training companies offering their ‘top 5’ things you need to do to make you a great leader.

Can they all be wrong?

A challenging proposition is that no one has ever known, in advance, what will make, or who will be, a great leader for any future point in time.

Numerous studies have produced vast libraries on the subject of Leadership. They expound different theories and models. Most fit these leadership ideas to historic or current leaders who have succeeded, given a set of particular circumstances over a normally relatively short period of time. As time passes these theories are often found not to fit the historic narrative let alone current or future situations.

Few individuals become great leaders. Many more step up to be better leaders when the circumstances demand. These are normal people who do extraordinary things. Not by following a formula or adhering to a leadership recipe or even having been trained in a particular school of thought. Great leaders recognise their moment and discover what is needed, in that moment, to lead others. They do this when it is hard to do and there is no certainty of success. They lead when they have doubts, lack self confidence, feel hugely out of their depth.

This series of articles will explore what it takes to face adversity, take the lead and to achieve extraordinary results.

If the premise of this series of articles proves to be correct where does this put leadership training or leadership development in an organisation context and what are the implications for HR strategy?

We would in no way want to suggest that the industry, established to develop leaders and leadership, worth hundreds of millions a year to the UK economy, does not have a place. From the university based Masters programmes to the half day leadership seminars, each will offer knowledge and skills that may support or reinforce your leadership development journey.

Off the shelf programmes, even with individualised elements, can only take you so far. Few will take the time to appreciate and understand the particular set of circumstances you, as a leader, face in your organisation, at this time, in this market, with your staff, the current needs and desires of customers or service users and the limitations of the suppliers who support you.

When we consider these variables and the infinite way in which they work in combination to form a unique leadership challenge, it become obvious that no off the shelf solution is going to be the whole answer.

Our contention individuals need to be the architects of their own Leadership Development programme.

Success as a leader will depend on your level of self-awareness and setting up an agenda to fill the gap between the leader you are today and the leader you need to be moving forward.

In this series of five articles, we will give you the insight and tools to allow you to, do just that.

If you want to take control and put yourself on your own personal path to better leadership this five step approach might help or be exactly what you need. We will not tell you what it takes to be a great leader, instead we invite you to find out for yourself – be the master of your own destiny. Let us know how you get on.

The House of Leadership Programme

Introduction

Establishing the purpose and groundworks

Part One

The Foundations

Part Two

Gathering the essentials

Part Three

Imagining and creating the design

Part Four

Building the better leader

Part Five

Mindset and finding that touch of the extraordinary

Epilogue

Where does coaching fit in and finding your Coaching Pillar