How we lead organisations is changing, our people expect a modern day informal leader which is very different to what we have been used to.
Leading with your head and heart came to the forefront during covid and now in this post covid world it is expected that this is how we will lead.
In her book head and heart leadership Dr Kirstin Ferguson writes that leadership is simply a series of moments and every moment gives you the opportunity to leave a positive legacy for those you lead.
There fore we are all leaders and I love this paradigm shift we no longer need to have a title to be seen as the leader.
There are two leaders that are being constantly spoken about when we talk about modern leaders. One started their career as a disc jockey and became the youngest leader of New Zealand and the other as a comedian who found himself leading from a bunker refusing to leave.
I remember Ardens speech after the terrorist attacks in Christchurch, where she refused to take the name of the perpratator, she put on her head scarf and embraced those who had lost loved ones. In her speech in parliament she made sure she created a sense of belonging and show enormous compassion
Zelensky is seen standing side by side with his people, he hasn’t fled the country instead making a strong statement along the lines of the fight is here, I need ammuniation not a ride.
The world is using these two as examples because they are rare and they integrate their personal life with their public role and they lead with their head and heart
We are now understanding that managing people to do their jobs, drive revenue and profits is not what we want from leaders. Authentic leadership is the currency that is in play today, those leaders who have a growth mindset, are self awareness and have an informal informal style are being seen as the modern leaders.
A modern leader doesn’t feel they need to have all the answers, they are not perfect, they make mistakes and they know when they need to lead with their hearts and when to lead with their heads.
In her book Ferguson writes about how today we seek leaders who understand their limitations, have the strength to be vulnerable, they are humble, courageous, curious, value feedback and know that they will always be working on how to be the best leader they possibly can.
If you haven’t bought the book please do so, I have been listening to it driving into work and am excited to bring you this conversation with Dr Kirsten Ferguson
To access the podcast go to Head and Heart Leadership Podcast