Versatility for the Modern Age
In May of this year, Harvard Business Review reported that over 50% of managers feel burnt out. Is this simply a failing of leadership capabilities or something more? Most likely it is a failure of preparation. Leaders are not being taught the right fundamental skill to manage increasing levels of complexity.
Versatility is the fundamental skill all leaders need now.
Versatility in leadership refers to the ability of a leader to adapt, pivot, and effectively respond to a wide range of situations, challenges, and individuals. Versatility matters in leadership because it helps us adapt to change.
In today’s fast-paced and ever-changing business environment, leaders must be able to adapt to new circumstances and unforeseen challenges. Versatile leaders are more resilient in the face of change and can guide their teams through transitions with minimal disruption.
BCG’s corporate vitality index (which identifies the differentiating factors of organizations with long-run growth) shows the most vital companies think differently about leading. They are skillful in adapting to unpredictable changes and shaping new markets to create competitive advantage.
But versatility has largely been overlooked Management 101 programming, Leadership Development initiatives, team offsites, and innovation summits.
A CBNC article stresses the importance of upskilling today’s managers, as they are the group that will make or break a business’ success — but the skills managers need today are different than those that have been taught in the past.
The New Leadership 101
Self awareness has always been the starting point for effective leadership, and it continues to be, but we cannot teach it in the same way as before. The power of self and other awareness cannot be underestimated as the primary starting point for any management and leadership training. Modern research is teaching us that awareness is created through mind, body and emotion.
Neuroscientific research demonstrates that self and other awareness are closely linked to the prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain responsible for higher cognitive functions. When cultivated, these qualities can lead to neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to rewire and adapt to new information. This results in improved emotional regulation, better decision-making, and enhanced empathy.
Yet, new science shows us that awareness is actually not just of the mind, but also of the body. The new science of interoception underscores the importance of understanding the body’s internal signals and how they influence human behavior, health, and well-being. Being in touch with internal bodily sensations can help individuals identify and understand their internal states. For example, recognizing an increased heart rate may signal excitement or anxiety, which contributes to self-awareness.
Finally, our emotions are also teachers. Emotional agility is a critical skill for effective leadership in today’s complex and rapidly changing business environment. Emotional agility refers to the ability to navigate and manage one’s emotions and the emotions of others effectively. It involves being adaptable, resilient, and self-aware in the face of various challenges and situations.
humcollective’s Approach to Awareness Building
Awareness building involves attuning to three intelligences we’re already equipped with:
Mind
Metacognition: allows us to perceive a situation and possibilities for a course of action. For example, resolving conflict between leaders on two different teams, and getting everyone on the same side of the table to work together.
Body
Interoception: the ability to understand and feel what’s going on inside the body. For example, noticing a physical sensation associated with stress, such as tightness in the chest, when receiving a strongly worded email.
Emotion
Emotional Agility: feeling a wide range of emotions that give clues to the world we inhabit and dictate how we make decisions. For example, feeling a tug towards a specific idea that supports larger targets or objectives.
humcollective uses an integrative approach to teach self and other awareness using the latest science.
Outcomes of Awareness:
The Power of Self-Awareness:
Enhanced Decision-Making: Self-aware individuals have a better grasp of their strengths, weaknesses, and values. This knowledge enables more informed and aligned decision-making, leading to choices that are congruent with personal goals and values.
Stress Management: Self-awareness empowers individuals to identify and manage stressors effectively. It reduces emotional reactivity and fosters emotional resilience, ultimately leading to improved mental and physical health.
Improved Relationships: A deep understanding of one’s own emotions and triggers allows for more authentic and effective interpersonal interactions. Self-awareness is the foundation upon which healthy relationships are built.
The Significance of Other Awareness:
Empathy and Compassion: Other awareness, or empathy, enables us to comprehend the feelings and perspectives of others. This quality is the bedrock of human connection and facilitates compassionate responses in our interactions.
Effective Communication: Understanding the emotions and needs of others is fundamental to effective communication. Other awareness enhances active listening, reduces misunderstandings, and promotes a harmonious exchange of ideas.
Team Dynamics and Leadership: In leadership roles, other awareness is a key determinant of success. Leaders who can perceive the emotional landscape of their teams and respond appropriately inspire trust, loyalty, and high performance.
Next Level Leadership Skills
The work of a leader starts with building awareness before it can ripple out to setting a vision and bringing others along through shared culture and connection. Versatile leaders must not only adjust strategy to changing contexts, but must also be aware of and adapt to the changing needs of employees. Contemporary leadership must fulfill the unprecedented task of continuously engaging employees and driving business at this velocity of change. A leader is in a unique position to generate new conversations and actions across a team, but all leaders need new skills to get the paradigm shift underway.
humcollective teaches four skills that support next level leadership
Attuning: Which is the act of tapping into your people and situations effectively. When leaders are attuned to those around them, they’re able to take strategic action that considers more factors.
Questioning: The ability to develop deeper insight in order to navigate complexity. Asking questions allows for exploration, inevitability leading to creative next steps.
Wayfinding: When leaders are able to communicate and guide through uncertainty. Oftentimes, managers don’t have control over circumstances, but they can still enroll, inspire and earn the trust of those they’re accountable for.
Followership: Seeking insight from other people when they know more. Sometimes, we simply don’t have the answers. Knowing when, how, and from whom to ask for help in order to reach a specific outcome is a skill.
Every organization is grappling in some way with a continuously evolving set of challenges. Under these circumstances, we must build more flexible thinking. Working with unprecedented conditions is always possible with the right skills that create more versatility.