The Leadership Challenge

As I consult with leaders in business and government all around the world, I notice that the world is in the middle of the greatest leadership crisis of any generation. We are seeing a tremendous void in leadership as corruption runs rapid around the world. A cry is being felt globally for authentic leaders to emerge. We must shift from selfish leadership to service leadership. We have promoted individuals strictly based on competence and not character. If we don’t begin to correct this problem leadership will eventually collapse. Our generation can turn the tide but it will take a collaborative effort.

The Challenge

Yes, the challenges of the world are great and the leadership is few. How do we solve this problem if there’s a lack of leadership? We have to move from problem-based leadership to principle-based leadership. We cannot simply place people in positions of power to fill spaces but to fulfill a service and to meet a need in the world. The days of simply possessing charisma are over. As leadership is shifting around the world, character must be the greatest determinant for choosing leaders in the near future. Character is not what you do but character is who you are. Character is an attribute that can only flow from an authentic life.

The Cure

For every problem there’s always a solution. The solution to this leadership challenge is to stop simply deputizing leaders and begin to develop leaders. The problem is that few possess the patience necessary to develop leaders. In order to develop the leader you must first develop the person. It is vital to deal with character flaws, proclivities and inconsistencies that would bring reproach to leadership.

Also, it is vital that senior leaders have heart to hearts with their successors. Leaders must begin to address the pitfalls and challenges that come with leadership. Leaders must also remind emerging leaders that leadership is a privilege. Integrity must govern your influence if you want to remain in a position of power.

We can no longer promote simply based on merit but it must be based on morals. We must set new infrastructure in place for how we select leaders. Many may fit the bill for leadership but true leaders are built. Leaders are built by continuously demonstrating character and consistency. Leadership must be governed by values. The leadership void that we are experiencing is the result of a lack of values. If we don’t restore values to leadership we will continue to produce corrupt leaders.

The Conclusion

Essentially, we will never see authentic leaders without accountability. The foundation of leadership has been shaken and now is the time to establish new leadership structures. While our models have been designed around productivity, the models of the twenty-first century must be built around principles. We must establish new leadership models that hold leaders to higher standards and sanction leaders that put personal preferences and profits ahead of principles.

The foundations of leadership have been greatly weakened and without responsibility the foundations will never be repaired. Moral decline and ethical decay is occurring at an astronomical rate. If our institutions are to stand integrity must be the thing that supports them. What is supporting your leadership? Leadership that is built on morals is leadership that will preserve future generations.

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