Leadership in a changing world
Nothing is as permanent as change. Understanding this paradoxical truth will cause us to make progress in a changing World. Change is natural to existence and common to all creation. Everything is in a constant of change. Change is both evident that we are alive and proof that we are finite – because everything has its own season. Change is the principle of creation.
We live at a remarkable moment in human history.
Science fiction writer , futurist and author , Arthur C.Clarke once said, “If by some miracle , a prophet could predict the future , exactly as it was going to take place, his predictions would sound so absurd, so far- reach that everybody would laugh at him to scorn”. Sadly, he’s right. We can’t predict the future , but it’s becoming more and more important to scan the horizon for the disruptive change we are experiencing now especially with COVID -19 pandemic.
Nearly two decades ago, the US Army War College coined an acronym to capture the nature of an increasingly unpredictable and dynamic world. They called it VUCA—an environment of nonstop:
- Volatility – the speed of change in personal, family , business , industry, market place , or the world in general.
- Uncertainty – the extent to which we can confidently predict the future.
- Complexity – the number of factors that we need to take into account, their variety, and the relationships between them.
- Ambiguity – a lack of clarity about how to interpret change.
In crisis moment like now, transformational Leadership is most needful if the we must survive in a changing World. Change is not going away.
Our Leadership therefore, must be visionary and purpose driven if we must thrive in a changing world. Change promises to speed up, not slow down.
Therefore, to thrive in a world where “change is the only constant,” leaders need to replace old thinking with a new framework.
Leadership need to have a new perspective. Our Leadership must have a paradigm shift otherwise,we will be victim of change and not victor. Anyone can lead during normal times but authentic Leadership is key to thriving during crisis and unsettled times like this. Either as a people, family , nation among others. Good leadership will make all the difference in an unprecedented and challenging times.
We live in a world in which many of the time-honored approaches to leadership and solving problems are no longer applicable.
A new form of leadership thought has emerged; one requiring a new skills set and thought patterns that will produce solutions that are effective and efficient.
By Leadership, I mean all of us. We are all leading in one way or the other! We were created to have dominion-a Greek word for “radar”meaning to lead, to have authority and to be in charge. We were all born to lead though we must become Leaders by personal development , daily growth and intentional living.
Since everything falls and rises on Leadership according to Dr John Maxwell, Leaders must be more focussed now than ever before. This is because of the inevitability of change.
Change comes to all of us whether we prepare for it or not. This change at any level can be a positive or negative force in our lives depending on our leadership. Effective and authentic leadership in a changing world will enable us to experience security , confidence and freedom in the uncertainty of our changing world.
Good leadership will leverage change to enhance productivity and political cohesion in all domains of life. Good Leadership will help us to tap into the positive power of change and fulfil our God given purpose and dreams.
There is a clarion call for Leadership in our changing World.
Thanks so much for leadership message at the New Life Resource Centre Zoom online and I can’t wait for the next one this Saturday.
Hoping to see you again.
Mariama Dumbuya