Renaissance Leadership: Transforming Leadership for the 21st Century (Part I: The New Leadership)

Abstract

Conventional leaders and leadership of the past are insufficient to meet the demands of the 21st Century. As we enter the new millennium, our world is characterised by unprecedented complexity, paradox, and unpredictability. Change is rapid and relentless. Today’s leaders face demands unlike any ever before faced. Standard leadership approaches that have served us well throughout much of history are quickly becoming liabilities. Conventional wisdom regarding leadership and many of its habits must be unlearned. The strong, decisive, charismatic, and independent leader may prove counter-productive in the new millennium and undermine a sustainable future. The challenges and opportunities of the 21st Century call for a new type of leader and leadership, indeed an entirely new and different way of thinking about leadership and of developing future leaders. Comprised of two parts, this paper explores the nascent millennium and eight sets of leadership qualities and capabilities expected to be crucial in the uncertain decades ahead. A significant gap remains between current leadership competencies and those needed in the future. Implications of this gap are discussed. Leadership development programs in industry and higher education have yet to refocus to produce the kind of leaders needed. Suggestions for reform are offered. Part I covers the 21st Century environment and context for leadership, compares conventional and emerging views of leadership, and documents the eight competence sets of The New Leadership. Part 2 examines leadership development, and presents an integrated curriculum for leadership development based on the eight leadership competency sets identified as crucial in the new millennium.