The Evolution of Leadership Has Impacted Businesses in These Important Ways
Around the Industrial Revolution, leaders’ success was attributed to the “Great Man Theory”, or the notion that specific individuals are born to lead. In today’s modern society, the evolution of leadership has led most to recognize it takes hard work, dedication, and perseverance to make him or her a leader. Over the centuries, the evolution of leadership has carried us to a future with more thoughtful, adaptable leaders who can face the challenges of a complex, ever-changing workplace.
The Evolution of Leadership Concepts over the Years & Where It Is Headed
Delegating, Not Dictating
The changing culture in the modern era is redefining the characteristics of a good leader. Those in leadership roles are moving away from demanding things of their employees to merely making suggestions, asking questions, and guiding individuals as they begin to transition into higher positions. The evolution of leadership has created supervisors and managers that are more sensitive to each employee’s individual needs and expectations. Strong leaders today often find ideal niches for team members that best accentuate their strengths and talents.
Using Technology to Work Smarter
Possibly nothing else has contributed more to the evolution of leadership than the advancement of technology. Everything from the way people communicate to how companies deliver products or services is all dependent on the technology that drives it. Good leaders know how to leverage this technology to spot trends ahead of time, make adjustments to marketing plans or get a pulse on the consumer market. Taking advantage of technology is also essential to building efficient communication networks between customers, employees, and leaders.
Encouraging Teamwork While Supporting the Individual
Today’s best leaders understand that success is measured both by effective teamwork and by supporting employees on an individual level. Achieving a balance between both ends of the spectrum is vital to developing a dynamic, motivated work environment. The evolution of leadership has brought many to recognize the importance of the individual to the team’s success as a whole. Successful leaders will engage employees in the group and individual discussions to find common ground that keeps everyone on the same page.
If you’d like to learn more about leadership evolution, contact BOAR for more information about the NextGen Evolution program. We have designed the curriculum to create tomorrow’s leaders using the best knowledge and resources of today. We strive to support the growth of innovative, thoughtful business leaders as they advance their careers.