I've never really thought about the evolution of leadership until this conversation. But as soon as John Baldoni and I started talking, it became clear to me that what we think of as key traits of strong leaders have changed drastically during my lifetime.
According to John, the concept corporate leadership that was different from military "command and control" has only been around for four decades or so. But the military model is still a default feature of patriarchy, and comes with a lot of negative side effects.
For one, it doesn't work in environments where it's easy for the led to find another job.
For another, it doesn't work in environments where agile and independent thinking must occur at all levels of an organization, and not just drip down from the top.
And for a third, it excludes most of the population from consideration from leadership positions.
But the times they are a-changing, according to Baldoni. Increased globalism has brought increased diversity, and a more interconnected world. And COVID showed us how events occurring thousands of miles away can affect us instantly and profoundly.
And the rise of women in the workplace is also bringing about a shift in organizational culture. According to research conducted by Julia Boorstin, female executives performed better during lockdowns because they weren't afraid to ask help – something men often struggle with.
In our conversation, we bounced back and forth between the external realities of the workplace and the inner work of cultivating grace in the face of all these challenges.
Enjoy!
Links
JohnBaldoni.com
Grace Under Pressure, by John Baldoni
When Women Lead, by Julia Boorstin