Uncertainty necessitates the need for finding more wisdom
within our organisations. This can only be accomplished by creating a
leadership mindset throughout the entire organisation. It is shared
accountability. Any leader that thinks that they can do it alone is indulging
their own ego.
Do not assume that no one else on the premises can match our
own ambition, competence, and vision. We have to accept the fact that there are
many points of wisdom within our organisations and a wise leader will engage
them. Too many leaders are not accustomed to accepting input from junior
members no matter how valuable it is. This creates a lack of trust and
openness. The currency of leadership is relationships and a wise leader would
do well to encourage input from as many sources as possible and especially not
from the usual suspects.
The concept of distributed leadership will keep you in touch
with the environment. If you want to prepare people for this environment, you
have to get leadership further down the organisation. We generally tend to
drive managing down the organisation, but not leadership. However, in order to
maximise the opportunity for success, we have to prepare for acts of leadership
further down the organisation – even if it feels like an unnatural act to
people sitting at the top.
Leadership needs to be the expected norm at all levels.
