How to Lead, 5th Edition

Part 5

Skills of success: The twenty-first-century leader

Introduction

It is now clear that we are in the middle of a leadership revolution. Leading in the twenty-first century is unlike leading in the twentieth century. The revolution is only marginally about technology. It is much more about the changing nature of work.

The heart of the leadership revolution is the end of command and control. In the past, position and power went hand in hand: the higher your position, the greater your power. But leaders no longer command all the people and resources they need to succeed. There are four reasons for this:

• Professionalisation of the workforce: Education levels are at record levels – workers can do more, but they demand more. The old paradigm ...