Like top leadership experts and keynote speakers often posit, with seismic forces like automation, globalization and social change reshaping the business landscape, even seasoned executives can struggle to guide organizations confidently into the future. That’s why tracking insights from top consulting advisors—veterans in advising executives through disruption—offers an invaluable head start on the leadership strategies and styles primed to drive results in the coming years.
Right off the bat, in the months ahead, leadership experts see a top trend in the form of organizations actively upending traditional leadership development, which focused on instilling defined knowledge and skills through structured classroom programs. Thought leaders argue that continuous learning in the flow of work will become essential as volatility eliminates predictable career paths. To this extent, leadership expert guidance will focus on nurturing self-directed learning disciplines while providing access to mentors and coaches for real-time leadership development.
As if that weren’t enough though, leadership experts also anticipate purpose becoming central to leadership identity, not an abstract corporate priority. Employees—especially younger generations—increasingly demand working for organizations advancing social good alongside profits. Consulting futurists and advisors here help executives evolve branding, culture and policies to genuinely serve community interests beyond shareholders. Authentic advocacy for issues like sustainability and diversity equity and inclusion will define future inspiring leaders.
Furthermore, the best leadership experts note the complexity of guiding increasingly matrixed, globalized organizations requires more inquiry-based leadership emphasizing humility and transparency. Rather than projecting having the “right answers,” organizational development pros advise facilitating collaborative sensemaking around challenges to spark diverse insights while uncovering hidden assumptions. Leadership experts can teach critical mindset shifts to avoid driving teams through hierarchical status.
Add it all up, and by relying on vetted guidance from leadership experts at the leading edge of prototyping organizational leadership for the coming decade, executives and aspiring managers alike can future-proof leadership skills. Blending empathetic relationships, lifelong learning and inclusive decision making prepares leaders to navigate ambiguity and empower teams through the only constant ahead – ongoing change.