Leadership Styles

In today’s modern business world, we’re seeing the rise of many leaders. Employees have the varied experience and confidence to step up into leadership roles, and more than ever, we’re seeing entrepreneurial skills in our team members. But what are the characteristics that will stand out, and be prominent and necessary in the future of business? How will we need to tailor our approach and expectations?

We’ve complied a list of 5 skills and qualities that future leaders will require in order to put the organisational mission into action, empower their team and respond to upcoming generations and technology.

1. Empathy

Leadership has always required a strong foundation of emotional intelligence, and the future will call for further ability to build and nurture emotional intelligence within our teams. Being empathetic will allow leaders to understand, relate to and inspire employees, paramount to ensuring you attract and retain the right talent for your business in a turbulent business world. This compassion will also you to facilitate relationships that will help you stand out in the industry.

2. Promoting Work /Life Balance

Research is showing that the upcoming generations entering our workforce will feel more comfortable changing jobs, workplaces, and careers than ever before. Plus, industries are seeking individuals with diverse and unique experience. So, in order to be a great and respectable leader, the ability to promote a healthy and flexible work/life balance will be more imperative than ever.  A team that feels like management understands the various priorities and desires they have in their life will be more willing to demonstrate loyalty and be more productive. 

3. Empowerment

Following from the need to understand the needs of your team and embrace the unique paths they will want to take, excellent leaders will place high emphasis on empowering individuals, both professionally and personally. This will require trust and respect, and the leader’s capacity to teach and develop people. 

4. Technological Competence

We’re all aware that technology is changing industries continuously, and while we can’t expect our leaders to be specialised technicians, an understanding of the technological environment and the curiosity needed to observe it will be necessary. This will equip leaders with the skill to better prepare their teams and organisations for the future, as well as stay up-to-date with opportunities, challenges and the needs and desires of customers and employees. 

5. Clarity

Markets will continue to become saturated, and standing out will be key to remaining successful and experiencing longevity in the industry. An influx of talented individuals and upcoming technology will also provide unlimited choices and options on what direction to take the team and business. Leaders, who are able to have sharp focus and find clarity, essentially, remain attentive and not be distracted, will ensure the team and organisation are not negatively impacted by external forces.

Leadership is a combination of multiple qualities, actions, skills, characteristics and practices that allow an individual to reach their full potential and help others do the same, ultimately facilitating the success of the business. While the future remains to be the seen, the above qualities will allow a leader to be successful in the face of emergent situations and facilitate effective and efficient people management.