A new model for leadership development in the 21st century Hult Blog

Traditional leadership development training needs to be re-evaluated Today’s rapidly changing and digitalized work environment requires more than ever before leaders who know who they are, what they stand for, can lead with purpose and impact, and are resilient. In a world which is highly dynamic and uncertain, leadership helps followers stay focused, work toward a common goal, provide a sense of belonging and security, and achieve high-performance. With so much change and disruption, how can the function of leadership remain relevant? As a leader, aligning yourself with the environment youre working in has been seen as a key pillar of leadership effectiveness. However, with so much change and disruption currently taking place, how can alignment still be achieved and how can the function of leadership remain relevant? This article will discuss a new perspective to leadership development which is more relevant to today’s changing nature of work and provide a framework for effective leadership development in 21st-century business. 60 years of leadership research shows its all about the individual For many years, the topic of leadership has received a lot of attention from the scientific community. In the past 60 years, more than 2000 studies have been conducted aimed at determining an absolute leadership style, personality traits and behaviors of great leaders. None of these studies has been successful in producing a clear profile of the perfect leader. The reason for this is that leaders are complex human beings with a multitude of life experiences, characteristics, and mindsets. More than 2000 studies have been conducted aimed at determining the personality traits and behaviors of great leaders. One of the key paradigms in leadership development has been the focus on understanding who you are as an individual, how your story has made you the person you are today, exploring your unique strengths, your passions  and goals to align yourself with an environment where your ‘unique blueprint’ would have the best fit and biggest impact. In social psychology, this is otherwise known as identifying P-E Fit, or person to environment fit. Dr. Kurt Lewin, a pioneer in social psychology, developed a simple equation to explain how behavior is actually a function of the person’s interaction with his or her environment: B = f(P x E). Leadership effectiveness is thus context-dependent from both the leader’s perspective as well as from the perspective of the environment. Developing a strong sense of self is core to developing your authentic leadership style. Why leadership development is different in the 21st century While developing a strong sense of self is still core to developing your authentic leadership style, it is becoming increasingly difficult to align oneself with an environment which is in continuous flux. This requires an agile mindset together with an ability to reinvent oneself to adapt to new circumstances rapidly. S-Curves S-curves reflect a natural growth cycle common to human systems, organizational systems, and political systems to name a few: starting up, learning, flourishing, and eventually declining. The S-curve is also a term used in innovation and entrepreneurship to reflect the exponential growth digital technologies and digital solutions both go through after a significant learning curve of finding product-market fit and quality improvement. An environment which is in continuous flux  requires an agile mindset and an ability to adapt to new circumstances rapidly. Different than traditional growth curves or life cycles, which reflect linear growth trajectories, S-curves reflect exponential growth with deep but short learning periods and sharp maturity cycles which lead to rapid decline. An S-curve is often referred to as the hockey stick model which reflects the initial stages of innovation using design thinking and other lean methodologies to grow exponentially over time. A new leadership development model to empower you Traditional leadership development models fall short of reflecting leadership development in 21st-century business. Based on this shortcoming, I have developed a new framework to make leadership development training effective in a modern-day business environment: The S-Curve Framework for Leadership Development. This is an effective tool to help you discover your authentic leadership and empower you to lead, whatever your position in your company, whilst remaining true to who you are. It is also a tool to help you stay relevant and build the behavioral and psychological skills required to be responsive, agile, creative and assertive in a rapidly changing environment. Used optimally, your â€Å"S-CURVE Framework for Leadership Development†[1] document acts as a dynamic living plan that you update on a regular basis throughout your career to reflect your leadership experiences and changes in your thinking about your development. As a consequence, this document will guide you to successfully stay on track as a leader, professionally and personally, in alignment with what is most important to. S-CURVE Framework Leadership development using the S-Curve Framework focuses on key areas of personal leadership development which will enable you to lead yourself and others with authenticity, purpose, and impact in today’s rapidly changing environment. Besides the original meaning of the word, the S-Curve framework I developed is a model which reflects the six core areas of personal development. Using the S-Curve Framework for Leadership Development will help your become a leader of personal disruption. S-CURVE = Strategic Life Planning – (Creativity, Unique Self, Resilience, Values, and Experimentation) S = Strategic Life Planning The S stands for Strategic Life Planning and reflects the conscious and effortful process of identifying your purpose and calling (your vision and mission) and aligning your true-self with the personal and professional ambitions you have in mind. C = Creativity The C stands for Creativity and Innovation. Creativity reflects your ability to apply design thinking and lean methodologies to your personal leadership development to help you visualize a desired future and attain your short- and long-term goals. U = Unique Self The U reflects your Authentic Self. It reflects your life story, your personal characteristics, personality, strengths, developmental areas, motivations, fears, and areas of influence. To understand your unique self, you need to interact with others, be open for feedback, and embark on a journey of continuous self-reflection. R = Resilience The R reflects the ability to lead oneself and others in a fast-moving environment. It reflects the behavioral and psychological skills required to attract, connect and engage people in today’s changing nature of work. Resilience also reflects the mental toughness required to deal with life’s daily stressors. V = Values The V stands for Core Values. A core part of developing your authentic voice and leadership style is through the process of aligning your core values with your immediate and future environment. Which values do you feel most passionate about? How aligned are you with your core values and to which extent do your behaviors reflect your values? E = Experimentation The E stands for Experimentation and Execution and reflects the actions needed to realize your strategic life plan. How will you make your goals attainable and which steps do you need to take to ensure you are heading in the right direction? Developing an experimental mindset will help you succeed in a fast-moving environment as past results are no longer an indicator of future success. Using the S-Curve Framework for Leadership Development will help your become a leader of personal disruption while inspiring performance and helping others head into a common direction.       [1] Developed by LEAD TCMLâ„ ¢, a trademarked company specialized in behavioral science and leadership development. Grow your leadership capabilities with an MBA in international business at Hult. To learn more, take a look at our blog Why soft skills are important for global leadership, or give your career a boost with our Masters in International Business. Download a brochure or get in touch today to find out how Hult can help you to learn about the business world, the future, and yourself. Hult Rotation offers you a chance to study in a truly global way. Our rotation program allows you to study and be immersed in some of the finest cities in the world. 📠¸: @jasminmanzano . Hult Rotation offers you a chance to study in a truly global way. Our rotation program allows you to study and be immersed in some of the finest cities in the world. 📠¸: @jasminmanzano . Each year, Hult seeks to enroll a talented and ambitious incoming class from all over the world. We look for diverse students with a wide range of experiences, perspectives, and interests—students who will thrive in our unique educational atmosphere. Are you ready for a truly global experience? 📠¸: @iambrunadiniz . Each year, Hult seeks to enroll a talented and ambitious incoming class from all over the world. We look for diverse students with a wide range of experiences, perspectives, and interests—students who will thrive in our unique educational atmosphere. Are you ready for a truly global experience? 📠¸: @iambrunadiniz . We’re excited to start 2020 on a ranking high! Hult is proud to have been placed #28 in Poets Quants 2020 rankings for Best Undergraduate Business Schools in the US. Taking a huge leap of 32 places from our 2019 position, we’re also very happy to have secured top positions in key categories like: life-changing experience, practicality of the degree, and global immersion. . With five global campuses, a student body of over 130 nationalities, and a learn-by-doing approach—Hult offers a student experience like no other. . We’re excited to start 2020 on a ranking high! Hult is proud to have been placed #28 in Poets Quants 2020 rankings for Best Undergraduate Business Schools in the US. Taking a huge leap of 32 places from our 2019 position, we’re also very happy to have secured top positions in key categories like: life-changing experience, practicality of the degree, and global immersion. . With five global campuses, a student body of over 130 nationalities, and a learn-by-doing approach—Hult offers a student experience like no other. . â€Å"I’m from an engineering background and needed a whole new skill set for the industry I wanted to switch to. I learned a lot about myself and how I deal with being out of my comfort zone. I learned both soft and hard skills, from how to work in very diverse teams to key accounting metrics and strategy. I was surprised by how weak I was at certain tasks in English or how strong I actually was in other areas. Hult gave me opportunities to try new things and meet people from places I never thought I would have friends. . My internship experiences gave me the chance to broaden my view of different cultures and different companies. I had the opportunity to work and live with people whose values differed from people in my home country. I thought that this would be difficult, but it gave me the chance to reflect on my own values and assess if they were a result of my home country environment or if they were intrinsically mine. . Diederick ter Kulve (@diederick.terkulve) Netherlands Masters in International Business . â€Å"I’m from an engineering background and needed a whole new skill set for the industry I wanted to switch to. I learned a lot about myself and how I deal with being out of my comfort zone. I learned both soft and hard skills, from how to work in very diverse teams to key accounting metrics and strategy. I was surprised by how weak I was at certain tasks in English or how strong I actually was in other areas. Hult gave me opportunities to try new things and meet people from places I never thought I would have friends. . My internship experiences gave me the chance to broaden my view of different cultures and different companies. I had the opportunity to work and live with people whose values differed from people in my home country. I thought that this would be difficult, but it gave me the chance to reflect on my own values and assess if they were a result of my home country environment or if they were intrinsically mine. . Diederick ter Kulve (@diederick.terkulve) Netherlands Masters in International Business . Say a big hello to our Bachelor of Business Administration program cover star, Elisa Orus Plana âÅ" ¨ . â€Å"I’m excited for the future—especially that I cant predict whats going to happen. Maybe Ill end up in Mexico working for a trading company or maybe in Africa, developing my own business. Everything is possible, and the options are constantly changing. I love the idea that Im never going to be stuck doing the same job until the end of my life if I dont want it to be like this. . Hult really supports me and my ambitions and truly believes that we deserve to be considered as professionals as well as students. Here, I get to express not just my opinions but all elements of myself. From my creative side with the Fashion Society to my finance and business sides in Trading Club and the Management Consulting Club. We get a different type of learning here. Not just essential knowledge and theory, but practical skills and mindset. The school is always evolving. We’re encouraged to innovate and to always look for new ways of doing traditional things. We learn how to be more confident and become aware of how we can impact our environment. The school aims to help you become a better version of yourself and to stand out from the crowd.â€Å" . Elisa Orus Plana French Bachelor of Business Administration Class of 2021 Say a big hello to our Bachelor of Business Administration program cover star, Elisa Orus Plana âÅ" ¨ . â€Å"I’m excited for the future—especially that I cant predict whats going to happen. Maybe Ill end up in Mexico working for a trading company or maybe in Africa, developing my own business. Everything is possible, and the options are constantly changing. I love the idea that Im never going to be stuck doing the same job until the end of my life if I dont want it to be like this. . Hult really supports me and my ambitions and truly believes that we deserve to be considered as professionals as well as students. Here, I get to express not just my opinions but all elements of myself. From my creative side with the Fashion Society to my finance and business sides in Trading Club and the Management Consulting Club. We get a different type of learning here. Not just essential knowledge and theory, but practical skills and mindset. The school is always evolving. We’re encouraged to innovate and to always look for new ways of doing traditional things. We learn how to be more confident and become aware of how we can impact our environment. The school aims to help you become a better version of yourself and to stand out from the crowd.â€Å" . Elisa Orus Plana French Bachelor of Business Administration Class of 2021"> During the final days of 2019, you probably reflected on what you’ve accomplished this year—and even this decade—and what you’d like to achieve in 2020. Let us know in the comments below. During the final days of 2019, you probably reflected on what you’ve accomplished this year—and even this decade—and what you’d like to achieve in 2020. Let us know in the comments below. â€Å"The first time we did group work on the program, I went head-to-head with a colleague. It taught me a lot about how I see people, how people see me, and how conflict can be resolved in a kind and productive way. The best feedback you get, when delivered constructively, is the most critical because it really feeds into how you lead. I’ve completely reversed my leadership style—the result is so much richer and more powerful when you lead from behind and lead with strength. . Studying in tandem with working, whilst challenging, gave me the perfect platform to directly apply learning concepts into my business environment, the competitive landscape, and the real-estate industry as a whole. When I started the program, I was very happy in my corporate role. But my courage and aspirations grew to the point that I took on a whole new direction. Having my career coach, Joanna, as a sounding board allowed me to really be strategic and get to know myself. She coached me thro ugh all the interviews, the research, and the questions. It went in parallel with what I was doing academically and after six months everything just clicked. . I went into the EMBA knowing I had nothing to lose and I’ve come out with everything. Great strength, global friends, amazing learning, mentors from professors, a job I love, and the knowledge that I can set my mind to achieve anything and with the right support and resources I’ll get there.† . Kashani Wijetunga British, New Zealand Sri Lankan Associate Director Senior Strategy Consultant CBRE EMBA Class of 2019 . â€Å"The first time we did group work on the program, I went head-to-head with a colleague. It taught me a lot about how I see people, how people see me, and how conflict can be resolved in a kind and productive way. The best feedback you get, when delivered constructively, is the most critical because it really feeds into how you lead. I’ve completely reversed my leadership style—the result is so much richer and more powerful when you lead from behind and lead with strength. . Studying in tandem with working, whilst challenging, gave me the perfect platform to directly apply learning concepts into my business environment, the competitive landscape, and the real-estate industry as a whole. When I started the program, I was very happy in my corporate role. But my courage and aspirations grew to the point that I took on a whole new direction. Having my career coach, Joanna, as a sounding board allowed me to really be strategic and get to know myself. She coached me thro ugh all the interviews, the research, and the questions. It went in parallel with what I was doing academically and after six months everything just clicked. . I went into the EMBA knowing I had nothing to lose and I’ve come out with everything. Great strength, global friends, amazing learning, mentors from professors, a job I love, and the knowledge that I can set my mind to achieve anything and with the right support and resources I’ll get there.† . Kashani Wijetunga British, New Zealand Sri Lankan Associate Director Senior Strategy Consultant CBRE EMBA Class of 2019 . â€Å"It was now or never. I knew that I’d have likely stayed in my neighborhood for years to come if I didn’t take this opportunity. I’d not lived or studied outside of the U.S. before. So I left my job as a global strategist at an advertising agency and moved halfway around the world. I’ve come back a more culturally aware, well-versed person. I’ve realized that everything is a learning experience and an opportunity for growth. Ill definitely carry this mindset with me into the future. Technology and social media allow us to be different people in several places at once. Im excited to see how I can establish myself in whatever city Ill be lucky enough to call home and still maintain deep connections with people all over the world. I’m inspired by my classmates every day. Hearing some of their life stories and how getting this degree fits into their greater mission has been very humbling. My biggest challenge has been finding the ‘right’ path for me. There have been rooms Ive felt like I shouldnt be in, but now Im proud to feel as though I truly belong, wherever I am.† . Dwayne Logan, Jnr. American MBA Class of 2019 . â€Å"It was now or never. I knew that I’d have likely stayed in my neighborhood for years to come if I didn’t take this opportunity. I’d not lived or studied outside of the U.S. before. So I left my job as a global strategist at an advertising agency and moved halfway around the world. I’ve come back a more culturally aware, well-versed person. I’ve realized that everything is a learning experience and an opportunity for growth. Ill definitely carry this mindset with me into the future. Technology and social media allow us to be different people in several places at once. Im excited to see how I can establish myself in whatever city Ill be lucky enough to call home and still maintain deep connections with people all over the world. I’m inspired by my classmates every day. Hearing some of their life stories and how getting this degree fits into their greater mission has been very humbling. My biggest challenge has been finding the ‘right’ path for me. There have been rooms Ive felt like I shouldnt be in, but now Im proud to feel as though I truly belong, wherever I am.† . Dwayne Logan, Jnr. American MBA Class of 2019 . Happy New Year, Hultians! . Happy New Year, Hultians! .