Leadership in the 21st Century

Who wants to start? The question on the table is: what does leadership look like in the 21st century? Is it the same as it was in the 20th century? If not – and I believe it’s not the same – how is it different?

Ask your executive committee what leadership looks like in the 21st century and they’ll likely describe it using words like “innovative” and “creative.” They might offer descriptions that include phrases like “focus for results” or “focus on tomorrow.” Regardless of what your executive committee believes, and regardless of what the pundits writing about leadership say, reality always wins.

In the real world, the world we all get up and go out to work in, leadership in the 21st century defies conventional thinking. Here on WCEOhq-Radio, we’ll be uncovering the myths and missteps of clinging to old-fashioned 20th century business models, and we’ll have discussions on insight into the new business model. Engaged in those discussions will be dozens of smart, forward-thinking CEOs.

We invite you to attend our radio show to hear from active CEOs with unique perspectives on leadership in the 21st century. Some will be bringing years of experience as entrepreneurs to the discussion. Others will share the stepping stones that brought them success over a period of many years, and still other CEOs will challenge your thinking with pointed discussions on the on the new rules of business in a digital world – a world increasingly based on the growing need to engage both front-line employees and customers in the core values and the real purpose of the company.

This isn’t your grandfather’s business. Maybe it’s time to contemplate whether it’s your son’s or your daughter’s business and if so, what does that mean?

We welcome your thoughts and feedback. Join us.

Comments

[Janet P Nelson]

The core elements of (great) leadership are unchanged. The need to create a vision, to communicate, to work from a position of ethics, amongst others.
What has changed, however are the rates of change of nearly all external and internal aspects of the entities being 'led'.
What a great leader needs to understand and assimilate into his/her role and actions include the unprecedented access to information; and not necessarily truthful or flattering information. The rate of change in technology; regulations; market access; and the mindset as to what means 'work' and 'loyalty' from the X, Y and new-to-be-named "geners" is unprecedented.
Without thoughtful understanding and inclusion of these (and more) and/or expecting to lead in this century as if that which and who we are leading is the same as the last century destines that leader to less than 'goodness', much less 'greatness'.