The Transformational Leader

2The Road Leading Us Here

Management is efficiency in climbing the ladder of success; leadership determines whether the ladder is leaning against the right wall.

—Stephen Covey

THE PATH TO this catastrophic leadership crisis was not a straight line with obvious warning signs. While the tides were already beginning to turn before the nation went into lockdown, the pandemic accelerated the timeline for many of today's most pressing leadership struggles and workplace challenges.

Before the pandemic, 61% of leaders reported receiving leadership training and support when entering a new role, compared to just 48% afterward. As a result of increased complexity, challenges, and uncertainty, support for transitioning leaders was eliminated in the initial wave of cost-reduction measures. While priorities had to shift during these disruptive times, coaching and training for leaders should not have been sacrificed.¹ What message did that send?

In 2021, the Global Leadership Forecast revealed only 11% of companies believe they have a strong leadership pipeline—the lowest this decade.² Although many factors contributed to the current predicament, ineffective practices and long-held misconceptions prolonged the crisis. We've glorified outdated archetypes of the leader for far too long, teaching the next generation to prioritize personal success over the fulfillment, growth, and development of those on their teams.

However, in a relatively short period, we've undergone a significant course ...