Leaders in development: Enhancing Your Leadership Effectiveness in a Changing World (Asia Leadership Series)

People are leaders’ most valuable assets, and thus leaders should leverage and maximize their employees’ contributions to increase the overall success of their organizations. Leaders must be able to harness the full potential of their employees and encourage them to create positive change by creating an environment conducive to lifelong learning and sustainable personal development.

Anyone who has ever led a team knows that leadership is not always smooth sailing. Even the most charismatic leaders encounter setbacks in their careers, but—despite the inevitable obstacles—good leaders never give up and always keep their eye on their goals. One of the greatest examples of persistence in a leader is Abraham Lincoln. He lost eight elections, twice failed in business, and suffered a nervous breakdown before becoming President of the United States. Today’s leaders must be similarly persistent, pushing boundaries and motivating people to buy into a common vision and make things better. They must also keep their egos in check, to avoid going down the slippery slope toward poor leadership.

Effective leadership is crucial in adapting organizations and communities to the exponential shifts occurring in our globalized world. The world is becoming ever more interconnected, complex, and volatile. Everything is moving at a tremendous rate, and we will be left behind if we are not well-equipped to meet the challenges of the 21st century. This risk was highlighted recently by the U.S. presidential election and the Brexit vote, which indicate a powerful, worldwide trend toward nationalism, protectionism, and de-globalization. I anticipate increased uncertainties in the upcoming year, but only time will tell how the future will unfold in Asia.