A writer/poet who I recently came across wrote about new ways of describing mentors/teachers … actually she was ultimately talking about leaders and leadership, new style.
As Nicole Rushin says:
“The old word [mentor] and all of her sister synonyms are worn out. Words like guru, hero, guide, teacher, adviser…they don’t fit.”
The leadership style she refers to is far removed from the “boss” concept.
The world has changed … Homo Sapiens Sapiens is now evolving into Geeko Sapiens as some one wrote on the Internet.
Unfortunately I did not take note of the source so I cannot say if it was the originator or someone else.
But whoever originated this had a eureka moment.
Whilst many in the past would have been resigned to accept the Boss-Figure in their lives, they are increasingly less inclined to do so.
The Internet is empowering the masses and the Old Style Ruler Class is having a hard time of it.
Leadership today requires a new style and the “I am in charge because I am the Boss” approach no longer has the same power as it once had.
Old Style Leaders (Bosses) are no longer guarantees for sustainability of an enterprise.
Subordinates are no longer as ready to be subordinated.
We can use the analogy that they are no longer willing to go 'over the top' as they were needlessly forced to do in the First World War, because some General said so!
The world is moving towards a higher than ever percentage of individuals who aspire to have their dignity and their individuality respected.
Leadership in this new age not only needs to allow the dignity of those who agree to follow, but it must do so genuinely.
Mere lip service will not be sufficient as in the heat of the moment true colours will show.
Sustainable enterprises will start showing a trend to greater empowerment of employees, and especially greater respect for employees.
Sustainable enterprises will manifest in inspirational leaders, Listeners in Nicole Rushin’s terminology.
The inspired employees will deliver greater creativity in their production ... and creativity in this new world is essential.
The Old Style Leaders will remain for a while still, confident that their life-long style proved right in the past, and will continue to do so.
But as they age so will this Ruler Class go extinct.
Unsustainable behaviour, be it at the level of Individual, Leader, Enterprise, Community or Nation will have its chickens coming home to roost, sooner and quicker than ever before.
Are we perhaps seeing the first signs in the global banking crisis … a mostly bloated institution that has lived off unsustainable interest rates for far too long?
As Nicole Rushin says:
“Be still, listen. The wind that moves the grass whispers from the inside.”