Why do we need good leaders in the contemporary world?
Steve Robertson
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Why do we need good leaders in the contemporary world?
Great leaders have always been essential and in great demand. In the contemporary world perhaps they are more needed given the variety of challenges that we are facing or have experienced. Our collective consciousness has been elevated, we are all now more aware of the modern global challenges, the Covid-19 pandemic has encouraged us to think differently about each other and the world that we live in. We are more concerned about ethics, humanity, connection, and maybe even kindness and love. We want to connect differently to each other, technology lends its hand here, we concern ourselves more about community and networks, we seem to want more and more. And in this time of significant movement and change where we are more confident to speak out about injustice and how we and others are treated, we look to others to continually nurture our confidence and to demonstrate behavior’s that we would mirror, and therefore challenge the cultural norms of our world. It would seem that those great leaders who we know are few and far between are lost and camouflaged unintentionally by other leadership styles that are incessantly self-centred and less person focussed.
Why is it that we can imagine and consider a significant number of political leaders, or business leaders when asked about leadership? We might imagine that this is leadership, these are the styles that are the only ones on show. The media has these people continuously in the spotlight, and as members of the public we might become lost in the fog of confusion and in some cases desperation for a change.
Isn’t it funny when we often ask ourselves who our favourite teacher was, and the way that persons characteristics perhaps led us to consider them as our favourite teacher. What were those characteristics, was it because they inspired us, was it because they gave us time and patience, or was it something else? I would like to think that my favourite teacher gave me that real positive energy to do better, to think differently, to try harder and how they encouraged me to imagine the success I might achieve in my life.
Great leaders have often inspired those around them and unified people around a common vision or a goal. They have the ability to motivate individuals, build cohesive teams, and foster a sense of purpose and belonging, which is crucial for personal and team growth. Furthermore, great leaders are able to navigate complex issues and recognise rapid change, and demonstrate how we can adapt effectively to new challenges and opportunities. Those natural leaders who we follow are often characterised by how they promote social justice and inclusive practices, they advocate equality, they challenge injustice, and they promote and support everyone to thrive, and they foster an environment of safety, trust and appreciation.
We all know the great leaders of the past, we still consider Nelson Mandela, or Martin Luther King as great leaders. We think of Winston Churchill and his passionate and determined style, and of course those rousing speeches that gave confidence to a world that was facing an unwavering evil. We may give appreciation to Angela Merkel who held office as the Chancellor of Germany for sixteen years, this longevity is something quite rare in modern day politics. Or even Dr. Anthony Fauci, the Chief Medical Advisor in the United States who steered the world through the HIV and Covid-19 pandemic. We recognise Mandela’s unwavering principles and his steadfast commitment to justice, equality, and human rights, even in the face of immense personal suffering, demonstrating his deep moral integrity.
In my humble opinion Leadership is a choice, it’s not a rank, it is not power, it’s a privilege, and those who lead should inspire others, but not simply to follow them, but to learn, to adapt and mirror a leadership style that has benevolence and empathy at its very core. When Martin Luther King delivered his incredibly powerful and eternal speech at the Lincoln Memorial on the 28th August 1963, he didn’t realise that so many people would be there. He didn’t send out flyers or newsletters and ask people to come, there were no global emails or text messages. People came because they believed in something, in change and in something different to what was currently on offer. He also didn’t say that he had a plan, like most leaders might, his words were simply that ‘he had a dream’ in fact he uttered those words seven times to remind people that it was ok to think differently, that it was ok to look forward to a future without rationally inexplicable and morally unjustifiable segregation.
So as I have said, leadership is a choice. Simon Sinek suggests that, leaders go first, leaders take the risks, leaders sacrifice, leaders create safe environments, leaders eat last. According to Kim Cameron there is validated evidence that suggests all individuals are inherently attracted to and flourish in the presence of positive energy in their leaders. I feel strongly this is why we often have special places in our hearts for those famous leaders I have mentioned, and of course your favourite teachers. Positive and relational energy is created and enhanced through the demonstration of virtuous actions, for example, generosity, compassion, gratitude, trustworthiness, forgiveness, and kindness. As a leader you can’t mandate people to be happy or positive, when they’re anxious or experiencing emotional pain, this is inauthentic, disingenuous, dishonest and untrustworthy. Positively energising leaders are not dominant individuals who seek the limelight. They are not always in charge or at the front. They are not necessarily extrovert or assertive in their demeanour. They are rather individuals who produce growth development and improvement amongst others with whom they interact and exude a certain kind of life that is uplifting, and helps others become their best. We seldom become exhausted by being around people with whom we have loving, caring or supportive relationships. We are seldom if ever depleted by people with whom we have trust in, along with caring and tender connections. In fact, we often seek out individuals who love and appreciate us, and whom we love and appreciate in order to become renewed and energised.
The impact of compassionate and inspirational leaders often result in significant job satisfaction for your teams, it improves well-being, employee engagement, enrichment, performance, and individuals and teams often feel invigorated when this type of leadership is the default and only style. There is more energy to work harder, where creativity and innovative thought is evident. Being a kind and considerate leader, who continuously demonstrates humanitarian principles and who leads with people in their minds does and will have a major impact on organisations.