Twenty-First Century Leadership
Everyone is a leader. In light of this new model for twenty-first century leadership, you may wish to re-examine yourself as a leader, using the following questions:
- In what ways can I apply the qualities of the new leadership paradigm to become more effective?
- What is my highest vision for my personal and professional life?
- What winning values guide my life and are key to enhancing my leadership?
- How can I bring out the best in myself and others?
- Am I focusing enough beyond myself on my family, or organization and society?
In helping prepare your community for the twenty-first century ask yourself:
- Does my community/church have a compelling and motivating vision that effectively aligns everyone?
- Does my community/church have a healthy culture, with positive habits that foster leadership?
- Does my community/church have an empowering environment that brings out the leader in everyone?
- Is diversity valued and respected, and is everyone's potential fully tapped?
| Traditional Leadership |
Twenty-first Century Leadership |
| Focus on individual leader |
Leadership as a process |
| Leader makes decisions |
Leader creates decision-making environment |
| Authority by position |
Authority within team |
| People must be told what to do |
People make their own decisions |
| Power over, control |
Power with, empowerment |
| Communication up and down |
Communication in all directions, especially across units |
| Competition |
Collaboration |
| Leadership exclusive for few |
Leadership inclusive of all |
| Motivation |
Inspiration |
| Homogeneity |
Diversity is valued |
| Little attention to values |
Values central to vision |
| Loyalty |
Commitment |
| Blame for mistakes |
Learning through mistakes |
| Threatened by change |
Challenged by change |
SOURCE: "Leadership Development: Changes, Challenges, Opportunities," Dr. Janet Ayres, Purdue University, April, 1996.